EU targets low-value imports via e-commerce platforms

An increasing number of low-value goods arrive to the EU through online platforms. The European Parliament wants to make sure these items meet EU safety standards.

Exponential growth in e-commerce

In recent years, the amount of small-item shipments to the EU ordered via online platforms is growing fast. A communication by the European Commission on e-commerce says that a total of 4.6 billion low-value items (items under €150) were imported into the EU in 2024. This equals to 12 million parcels per day. The number of low-value shipments was 2.3 billion in 2023 and 1.4 billion in 2022.

This exponential growth is linked to the rise of Chinese online retailers such as Temu and Shein. The Commission communication notes that 91% of all e-commerce shipments valued under €150 came from China in 2024.

Europeans are also getting increasingly comfortable in making online purchases. Eurostat data shows that 77% of EU internet users bought online in 2024, an increase from 59% in 2014. The share of online buyers was the highest among the age group 25-34 years with 89%, but even among 65-74 year-olds, 53% made online orders.

Currently, imports of goods valued under €150 are exempt from customs duties. The European Commission proposed a customs reform in May 2023, which would remove this exemption.

Concerns related to the surge of low-value imports

The ever larger number of packages shipped directly to EU consumers presents a challenge to national authorities who are struggling to supervise effectively the flow of goods entering the EU.

As it is difficult to control billions of parcels arriving every year, some of the products ordered via e-commerce channels may fail to comply with EU rules on safety, ecodesign or environment protection. This may pose potential risks for human health or for the environment.

In addition, cheap but substandard goods available through online platforms may hurt EU companies which make sure their products meet EU requirements but are unable to compete on price.

Proposed action from the European Commission

The challenges arising from e-commerce platforms were mentioned in the Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's political guidelines before the start of the 2024-2029 term.

They were one of the reasons behind the proposal for a reform of the EU Customs Code in May 2023. The reform aims to put in place simpler processes to help customs authorities to work more efficiently and focus on checking the riskiest goods, shipments and traders.

The Commission communication on e-commerce from February 2025 proposes the introduction of a handling fee of €2 for each shipment to the EU. It also outlines measures to strengthen enforcement of product safety rules.

Parliament’s position on controls on low-value imports

In its position on the EU Customs Code reform, approved in March 2024, Parliament supported the introduction of processes and rules that place bigger responsibilities on web platforms.

In July 2025, MEPs adopted a report with recommendations on how to better control the influx of low-value e-commerce goods from outside the EU.

In the report:

• Parliament asked the Commission to verify that the proposed €2 handling fee complies with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and is sufficient and proportionate. MEPs insisted this fee should be paid by the platform, not by the consumer.
  
  
• MEPs agreed with the abolition of the €150 threshold for the current customs duty exemption.
  
  
• MEPs called for strong enforcement of relevant existing rules, such as the General Product Safety Regulation, the Market Surveillance Regulation and the Digital Services Act (DSA).
  
  
• MEPs said non-EU traders should be incentivised to ship their items to customers from warehouses inside the EU, as controls in warehouses on EU territory may be easier to carry out.

Read more:

• Improving consumer safety on online platforms
• Enhancing product safety in the EU
• Better EU rules for defective products
• Legislative Observatory - Product safety and regulatory compliance in e-commerce and non-EU imports