End to duty-free shopping: EU closes loophole for Shein, Temu and AliExpress

The European Union is putting an end to the era of duty-free online shopping. EU finance ministers have decided to abolish the customs exemption for goods costing up to 150 euros, which was used for years by Chinese e-commerce giants Shein, Temu and AliExpress, Courthouse News writes .

Already from July 2026, shoppers will have to pay a flat customs fee of €3 for each type of item for every order from these platforms. Clothing - plus 3 euros, cosmetics - another 3 euros on top, electronics - a separate fee.

Europe says the scale of such online imports has become critical:

• 4.6bn small parcels will arrive in the EU in 2024;

• that's more than 12 million shipments a day;

• 91% of such orders came from China;

• only 0.0082% of goods were actually inspected.

European authorities believe: the system is out of control. Cheap duty-free imports have led to the closure of local shops, dumping and an influx of potentially dangerous products.

Many EU countries are already seeing local businesses failing to compete with the flow of ultra-cheap goods from China," explained Danish Economy Minister Stephanie Løse.

But, as the EU assures, it is not only about money, but also about safety. Thus, EU consumer organisations have repeatedly found on Chinese marketplaces:

• dangerous children's toys;

• chargers that catch fire;

• cosmetics with banned chemicals.

According to experts, because of the previous system, such goods "simply slipped" past customs.

But, as the publication notes, the €3 levy is only a temporary measure. Already from 2028, the EU plans to introduce full-fledged customs rates. An additional service fee for parcel processing is also being discussed.

Analysts predict that platforms will either raise prices or sacrifice part of their profits.