Since 1 July, the EU no longer allows duty-free imports for parcels worth up to 150 euros. A customs fee of at least 3 euro per product group now applies to goods from non-EU countries. The aim is to make cheap imports more expensive and create fairer competition for European retailers. The new rules mainly affect platforms such as Temu, Shein and AliExpress, which rely on cheap deliveries from Asia. In the past, some orders were split into smaller parcels to stay below the 150-euro limit.
Will new customs fee hurt Temu and Shein?
The EU also wants to reduce pressure on customs. In 2025, 5.8 billion small parcels entered the EU. The new rules aim to protect consumers and create fairer competition, but their effect may be limited because large platforms can store goods in European warehouses and deliver orders from within the EU. Temu, Shein and AliExpress are still growing. They made up 5.3 per cent of German online sales in Q2; this is up over 20 per cent from the year before. The 3-euro fee may make small imports more expensive, but stronger customs checks and safety rules will also be needed.
VERE e.V. is in contact with the relevant stakeholders and keeps its members informed of further developments via the “VERE Insider”.
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