New levy on non-EU parcels kicks in on Sunday in a bid to curb the influx from China

Starting Monday, the European Union will introduce a €2 (US$2.25) handling fee on non-EU parcels, aimed at reducing the influx of goods from China. This new levy, alongside the existing €3 duty on small parcels, applies to each item in a package sent directly from outside the EU, regardless of its value. For instance, 10 T-shirts would incur a €2 fee, while a package containing two hats and 10 T-shirts would be charged €4.

EU consumers are not expected to bear this additional cost, but online retailers may add the fee before the sale.

The EU's European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) expresses concern that some platforms may pass these costs onto consumers at the final stage of purchase, which would be illegal under EU law. Nearly six billion small packages entered the EU last year, with 93% coming from China. The handling fee aims to compensate customs authorities for the strain of processing the increased volume, which has decreased imports by around 64% since the €3 duty was introduced in July.

European officials worry about "unsafe" non-EU products, such as toys, violating EU rules. The €2 fee is permanent, while the €3 duty remains temporary until July 1, 2028, when standard customs tariffs will apply. The EU will reassess the handling fee's proportionality to customs costs every two years. Temu, a Chinese e-commerce platform, has vowed to improve its handling of illegal products following a €200 million fine in May.

The EU accepted Temu's action plan, which includes measures to address the sale of illegal goods and enhance compliance infrastructure to ensure safe and trustworthy shopping for EU users.