{
  "id": 16661693,
  "title": "European levy on non-EU parcels kicks in on Sunday in bid to curb China influx",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/european-levy-on-non-eu-parcels-kicks-in-on-sunday-in-bid-to-curb-16661693",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-26T20:39:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SCMP Business",
    "slug": "scmp-business",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3372219/new-levy-non-eu-parcels-kicks-sunday-bid-curb-influx-china"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Starting on Sunday, the European Union will introduce a €2 (US$2.25) handling fee on parcels originating from outside the 27-nation bloc, aiming to curb the influx of goods from China. This new levy, set to coincide with the Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas shopping seasons, will complement the existing €3 fee on small parcels valued under €150. This fee will be applied per item in a package sent directly to consumers from outside the EU, irrespective of the parcel's total value. For instance, a package containing 10 T-shirts would incur a €2 fee, whereas a package with two hats and 10 T-shirts would incur a €4 fee.\n\nThis charge is expected to be borne by online retailers and sellers, who can pass it onto consumers before a sale. The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has expressed concern that some platforms may pass these costs onto consumers at the final stages of the purchase, which would be unlawful under EU law, necessitating upfront pricing. Approximately six billion small packages entered the EU last year, with 93% originating from China, primarily through platforms such as AliExpress and Temu.\n\nThe EU claims these packages are straining customs authorities, increasing their operational costs. The handling fee aims to offset these expenses. Since the €3 duty on small parcels was introduced in July, imports have dropped by about 64%, though officials caution that it is premature to draw definitive conclusions. The EU is also concerned about \"unsafe\" non-EU products, such as toys that do not meet the bloc's standards, entering via Chinese e-commerce sites. BEUC's Agustin Reyna emphasized that customs authorities have been dealing with illegal imports with limited resources while facing a surge in small parcels.\n\nThe handling fee is permanent, but the €3 duty on low-value packages remains a temporary measure until July 1, 2028, when standard customs tariffs will apply. The EU will reassess the fee's amount annually to ensure it remains proportional to the cost of customs operations in the bloc. Meanwhile, Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has pledged to improve its handling of illegal products, following a €200 million fine imposed in May. Temu has committed to analyzing risks, monitoring its measures to prevent illegal sales, and enhancing its compliance infrastructure to ensure a safer shopping environment for EU users. The company welcomed the EU's approval of its action plan, expressing appreciation for the commission's constructive engagement.",
  "summary": "The European Union will from Sunday slap a €2 (US$2.25) handling fee on packages from outside the 27-nation bloc in a bid to curb the influx from China. The new levy – coming just weeks before the Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas season shopping rushes – will be on top of the EU’s €3 fee on small parcels. The fee will apply to each type of item in a package sent directly to consumers from…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}