This July 1st the three euro rate comes into force that the European Union will from now on impose on the products with a value less than 150 euros imported from outside the community territory, to try to deal with the avalanche of low-cost imports coming mainly from China.
The figures speak for themselves. In 2024, they arrived in the EU more than 4.6 billion small packages and last year, they were 5.8 billion. This represents an increase of more than 25% compared to the previous year. The majority are imports from third countries, directly to the consumer, without paying tariffs.
Shein, Temu, AliExpress… They are some of the online commerce giants that are saturating the European market. Although the rate does not discriminate based on the origin of the package91% of all e-commerce shipments with a value of less than 150 euros in 2024 They came from China.
A person searches on Shein / Eduardo Parra / Europa Press
Why is the rate created?
Until now, packages with a value less than 150 euros shipped directly to the consumer from outside the EU were exempt from tariffs. That exemption was originally introduced in the 1980s to avoid “disproportionate administrative burdens” for customs authorities, companies and individuals.
However, Digitizing those procedures eliminates that burden. At the same time, the explosion of digital commerce The number of low-cost packages being imported into the EU has skyrocketed. Brussels warns of security riskssince many products do not meet community standards and do not pay tariffs.
In fact, random inspections carried out by the authorities of the twenty-seven countries of the bloc showed that more than 60% of the products analyzed did not comply with European standards. The Executive denounces that this results in unfair competition that traditional retailers cannot compete with.
The Commission claims that this €3 tariff “levels the playing field.” According to the Executive, it guarantees that “all companies that introduce products into the EU market”, wholesale or directly to the consumer, They are subject to customs duties and comply with regulations.
How does the tariff work?
From now on, national customs authorities They must charge a tariff of 3 euros for each type of product less than 150 euros. This means that if we buy online, for example, four skirts, the rate will be 3 euros. But if we buy a watch, two sunglasses and four skirts, The tariff would rise to 9 euros.
In addition, starting in autumn there will be a rate yet to be determined which will be applied to the packages. The objective is help cover extra costs faced by customs authorities when facing the increase in imports.
Who pays?
In principle, should be the seller or the postal service the one who bears the cost of the tariff and, only exceptionally, the consumer. However, the European Consumer Organization (BEUC) fears that Some operators break the rule.
“That would mean that buyers would receive a surprise invoice upon receiving their package, in addition to what they already paid,” said Agustín Reyna, general director of BEUC, in a statement. Reyna warned that That practice would be contrary to consumer protection law, which requires people to know the total price before purchasing, not at the time of delivery.
Is this decision final?
Yes, and no. In November of last year, EU governments agreed to abolish the rule which allowed the entry of goods with a value of less than 150 euros from third countries without having to pay tariffs. This rule made many packages were undervalued, up to 65% According to the estimates of the Council of the EU, to avoid paying fees.
But this reform does not come into force until 2028. Given that for European governments the explosion of low-cost online commerce is an “urgent” problem, The Twenty-seven agreed on a transition measure. That transition measure is this 3 euro rate that will be applied temporarily, until July 2028.
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