The European Union has introduced a new €3 charge on low-value e-commerce parcels from China, dealing another setback to online shopping platforms such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress. The fee took effect on Wednesday and applies to each customs classification within a shipment, replacing the long-standing duty-free advantage that allowed many low-cost products valued below €150 to enter the bloc without import charges.
Under the new system, parcels containing different categories of products will face multiple charges instead of a single fee. For example, a package carrying three different types of items will attract a total charge of €9, while shipments containing several products from the same category, such as dresses or toys, will only incur one €3 fee. As a result, consumers ordering mixed-product parcels could see noticeably higher costs.
The European Union says the move is aimed at tackling unfair competition and preventing abuse of customs exemptions that have existed for decades. Officials noted that the number of low-value e-commerce parcels entering the bloc jumped from 1.4 billion in 2022 to 5.8 billion in 2025, arguing that the dramatic rise has placed increasing pressure on customs systems while creating an uneven playing field for European retailers.
Meanwhile, industry experts expect the policy to affect global shipping activity as well as online prices. E-commerce and air cargo consultant Derek Lossing estimated that air shipments of online retail goods into Europe could fall between 10% and 35% in the coming weeks. He also suggested that platforms may ask suppliers to absorb part of the additional costs to reduce the impact on consumers and protect profit margins.
The temporary €3 fee will remain in place until July 1, 2028, when the European Union plans to replace it with category-specific duties under its new Customs Authority. In preparation, Shein has expanded warehouse capacity in Wroclaw, Poland, to increase bulk shipments into Europe. Meanwhile, AliExpress said eligible product listings will clearly show duties and VAT, while Amazon noted that 97% of its European deliveries last year were fulfilled from warehouses located within the bloc, limiting the effect of the new rules on most of its orders.