Since the coronavirus period, Europeans have been ordering small products much more often from large international webshops. Particularly Chinese platforms send millions of packages to Europe daily. These shipments often remain below the value threshold of 150 euros, which means they are exempt from import duties and are rarely checked at the border upon arrival.
The European Parliament calls this exceptional position unsustainable. It creates unfair competition for European companies that do have to comply with all regulations. At the same time, this way, products often enter the EU that do not meet European safety, environmental, and consumer standards.
A frequently mentioned problem is that most of these packages are sent via airmail as so-called 'low-value consignments.' This results in minimal customs oversight. Often, products are declared incorrectly or misleadingly to evade import taxes.
The proposal for a fixed charge of two euros per package aims to discourage this practice. At the same time, it will generate revenue for better enforcement. There is consideration to use this income to strengthen customs inspections and consumer protection within the EU.
In addition to an import fee, Members of the European Parliament want large Chinese platforms to adjust their logistics. Ideally, the Chinese would open their own distribution centers within the EU, from where products would be distributed according to European regulations. This would also make environmental standards and return rights more enforceable.
There is also criticism of the current digital platforms. Consumers often think they are purchasing from a European store while the seller is based outside the EU. As a result, guarantees often do not apply, return procedures are unclear, and complaints cannot be properly handled.
The proposals also express a call for cooperation among EU countries. National customs authorities should share data on suspicious shipments and fraudulent webshops. A central EU database could assist with this, among other things, to detect repeated fraud more quickly.
Although there appears to be broad support for the principle of a parcel fee, the proposal still needs to pass the European Commission and the governments of EU countries. Only after that can legislation follow. Meanwhile, pressure is growing on the EU to act swiftly against what many see as a structural circumvention of rules.