The European Commission will implement a €3 customs charge on small parcels valued under €150 beginning Wednesday. This action eliminates the 'de minimis' customs exemption for goods in this price range.

The new charge aims to address the increase in low-value parcels entering the European Union, which rose from 1.3 billion in 2022 to 5.9 billion in 2025. Approximately 90% of these low-value parcels originate from China.

EU research released on Monday indicated that 60% of online products imported from outside the bloc did not meet EU legal standards. Specific product categories showed similar rates of non-compliance: 65% of imported cosmetics failed EU standards, and 65% of imported toys also failed EU standards.

Further research found that 63% of non-EU food supplements purchased online did not pass health and public safety tests. Additionally, 60% of professional personal protective equipment imported from outside the EU was found to be non-compliant with EU law. Michael McGrath, the EU justice commissioner, expressed "shock" at the dangers of some items entering the EU through the de minimis route.

Last month, EU regulators penalized Temu €200 million for failing to prevent the sale of illegal and unsafe products on its platform. A senior official stated that online shopping has "contributed to the decline of traditional retail and the desertification of cities, affecting local jobs and community life."

Why It Matters

The imposition of a €3 customs charge and the removal of the 'de minimis' exemption marks a shift in the European Union's approach to imported low-value goods. This change follows an increase in the volume of such parcels entering the EU, predominantly from China. The measure is a response to documented concerns regarding product safety and compliance with EU regulations across various categories, including cosmetics, toys, food supplements, and personal protective equipment. The move also follows regulatory action against major online retailers for failing to prevent the sale of non-compliant products.