Business13 November, 20252 min read
EU Scraps Small-Parcels Duty Exemption, Slaps Customs Duties on Shein and Temu
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
EU finance ministers agreed to scrap duty exemption for low-value parcels under €150 Policy targets Chinese e-commerce platforms, notably Shein and Temu
5 outlets told this the same way.
Low-value parcel duty change
EU finance ministers have agreed to end the bloc-wide duty exemption for low-value parcels (goods under €150), a rule that allowed many cheap Chinese imports from platforms like Temu and Shein to enter tariff-free. The phase-out was originally planned for 2028 but ministers have accelerated the timetable. Reports differ on timing: the South China Morning Post says the change could be implemented as early as the start of next year, the Irish Examiner says ministers agreed to bring it forward to as soon as possible in 2026, and The European Conservative says the exemption will be abolished starting next year.
“EU finance ministers agreed to end the bloc-wide duty exemption on low-value parcels (under €150) sent directly to consumers — a rule that has allowed many cheap Chinese imports via platforms like Temu and Shein to enter tariff-free. The change, pushed by France and the EU executive to curb the flood of low-cost Chinese goods, protect consumers and strengthen EU economic sovereignty, could be implemented as early as the start of next year rather than 2028. Member states will work on a ‘simple, temporary solution’ for earlier rollout and are set to discuss and vote on the proposal at their December 12 meeting.”
EU policy on low-value imports
Officials and commentators frame the move as a response to a surge in low-value e-commerce and pressure from European industry. The Irish Examiner cites data that low-value parcels doubled last year to 4.6 billion, with over 90% originating from China. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic proposed removing the de minimis exemption for goods under €150 in Q1 2026.
The South China Morning Post reports the change was pushed by France and the EU executive to curb the flood of low-cost Chinese goods, protect consumers and strengthen EU economic sovereignty. The European Conservative summarises the policy as aimed at curbing cheap Chinese imports.
EU parcel charge reports
Reports differ on the concrete charges and transitional arrangements. The Irish Examiner gives a specific figure — a proposed €2 duty on billions of small packages — and notes some member states are already considering national handling fees, with Romania proposing €4.92 and Italy planning a tax. Lobbying group EuroCommerce warned that a patchwork of national fees could undermine the single market.
“Member states will work on a ‘simple, temporary solution’ for earlier rollout and are set to discuss and vote on the proposal at their December 12 meeting.”
The South China Morning Post says member states will work on a "simple, temporary solution" for earlier rollout and mentions a December 12 discussion and vote. The European Conservative repeats the accelerated phase-out but does not provide the same operational details found in the Irish Examiner.
Media coverage of policy shift
Reaction and stakeholder responses are only partially documented in the snippets. The Irish Examiner records that retailers and lawmakers 'welcomed the faster timetable', notes that Shein 'declined to comment', and that Temu, AliExpress and Amazon 'had not replied'.
The South China Morning Post emphasises the policy drivers—consumer protection and economic sovereignty—and that member states will seek a temporary solution, while The European Conservative focuses on the policy outcome without quoting industry responses. Overall, the sources agree on the policy shift but leave uncertainties about exact timing, transitional measures and how platforms will respond.
