Chinese-owned e-commerce platforms Shein and Temu are fast adapting to charges imposed by the European Union on their packages by setting up logistics facilities within EU countries.
This would not mean the end of charges – they will be taxed as bulk imports – but would skirt the supposedly temporary €3 flat-rate customs fee per package valued under €150, in effect since July 1. It would also avoid the supplementary €2 handling fee for all such packages from third countries proposed by the European Commission and still under consideration. The Commission wants the supplementary fee to start November 1.
If the supplementary fee is adopted, each relatively small-value package sent from China to EU consumers will be charged at least €5, more so if more than two or more different products are included; for example, a package containing several T-shirts would be charged €3 plus €2, but one containing T-shirts plus a watch would be charged an additional €3.
For packages sent to consumers from warehouses within the EU, there will be a charge of €0.50, creating an obvious incentive for platforms to open or use such warehouses.
Also starting in November, the e-platforms will be obliged to offer more detailed descriptions of shipped products.
