Decision, which was scheduled to come into force only in 2028, was anticipated by representatives of the 27 EU Member States, and could begin to be applied as early as 2026
The Economy Ministers of approved a measure that eliminates the exemption from import tariffs for orders from outside the bloc with a value of less than €150 (approximately R$920). The decision, which was scheduled to come into force only in 2028, was anticipated by representatives of the 27 EU Member States, and could begin to be applied as early as 2026.
The move was driven by the growing impact of Chinese e-commerce giants such as Shopee and Temu, which have been rapidly expanding their presence in the European market. The volume of packages sent to the EU worth under €150 has increased significantly, from an average of 12 million packages daily in 2022 to double that number in 2023.
The tariff exemption for these products, until then, allowed European consumers to buy low-cost products directly from sellers outside the bloc, without paying taxes or import duties. However, this practice has been increasingly criticized for harming local retail businesses, which face strong competition from foreign companies.
Giancarlo Giorgetti, Italy’s Economy Minister, was one of those who expressed concern about the impact of the exemption, stating that the phenomenon of small parcels exempt from tariffs “is destroying retail trade in Europe”. The measure therefore aims to protect the internal market and ensure that local companies can compete more fairly with global giants.
The change in import policy marks a strategic move by the European Union to respond to the growth of cross-border e-commerce, particularly by Chinese companies, which benefit from tariff exemptions to sell products directly to European consumers at very competitive prices. The expectation is that the new measure will help balance the market and reduce pressure on European retailers, which are already facing challenges with inflation and changes in consumption habits.
