The era of packages “without ” is reaching its fin. The member states of the European Union (EU) approved this Thursday eliminate the exemption from customs duties for shipments worth less than 150 euros coming from third countries.
“The elimination of the tariff-free threshold means that customs duties will have to be paid from the first euro on all goods entering the EU,” explained the Danish Finance Minister, Stephanie Losewhose country holds the presidency of the EU Council this semester.
The objective of this decision is stop the avalanche of small packagesespecially from Chinese platforms such as y which have conquered the European consumer with low prices, ultra-fast shipping and a constant presence on social networks.
Although the measure It will not be fully effective until 2028the agreement reached by the Ministers of Economy and Finance provides for a transient mechanism to start collecting customs duties already in 2026in the face of what they describe as an “economic emergency.”
End of favorable treatment for low value packages
The exemption that is now removed was established in 1983at a time when electronic commerce did not even exist. But currently, the situation is radically different. Only between 2022 and 2024, shipments worth less than 150 euros to the EU have more than tripledgoing from 1.2 billion to 4.6 billion euros, according to data from the European Commission. And 91% of them come from China.
The Community Executive links this boom to “exponential growth” of Chinese platforms such as Temu and Shein, that have won millions of consumers thanks to their strategy of “pervasive online advertising, low prices and ultra-fast shipping.”
What worries Brussels more and more is that this increase in packages has overloaded customs systems y hinders quality and safety controlswhich opens the door to the entrance of counterfeit products what break the rules Europeans.
Added to this is the environmental impact of the millions of daily shipments and the distortion of competition. European manufacturers pay customs duties and comply with strict regulations, while non-EU online businesses sell directly without assuming these costs.
“This change will create a greater level playing field between European companies that pay duties on all their exports and companies from outside the EU that directly sell low-value goods without paying them,” Lose detailed, underlining that the reform seeks to stop the “massive arrival” of this type of packages from Asia.
In fact, intellectual property infringements by third parties cause losses equivalent to 5% of annual turnover of the textile and cosmetic industries Europeans, and almost a 9% in the toy sectoraccording to Commission estimates.
In parallel, the EU is studying a fee of two euros for the management of each package that arrives at customswhich could also come into force in 2026. Brussels assures that this measure will not only strengthen controls, but will also serve to finance a system modernization community customs officer.
How it will affect Temu, Shein… and consumers
The end of the exemption will mark a turning point for e-commerce giants like Shein y Temuforced to adapt their logistics and commercial model to the new scenario. Each package will become subject to additional taxes and paperwork, which could increase prices o extend delivery times, especially during the first months of adaptation
Furthermore, to compensate for tariff expenses, it is foreseeable that both platforms group orders, move part of their stock to warehouses within the EU y reduce the supply of extremely cheap items that are no longer profitable. They could also raise the minimum to access “free shipping” or enter new management or return fees.
As for the consumersthe change will require a more conscious planning of online shopping. Consequently, before confirming the order, buyers should better assess the total cost of each purchase: product, taxes, management y possible returns.
Global impact
The end of this tariff exemption not only affects consumption habits, but also symbolizes a new stage in the trade relationship between Europe and Chinamarked by the search for balance between economic openness and protection of the internal market. USAin a similar move, has suppressed its , within the framework of its trade tensions with Beijing.
Global electronic commerce, which for years expanded under the mantra of immediacy and low cost, is now entering a phase of greater regulation and sustainability. The EU wants to stop unfair competition and strengthen its economic autonomy, but it also invites consumers and companies to reflect on the real cost (environmental and social) of ‘click’ purchases.
