EU Imposes New €2 Surcharge on Non-EU Parcels

The financial impact for consumers is immediate. For a package containing four distinct garments from platforms like Shein, the combined levies can reach €20. While the EU maintains that sellers are liable for these payments, the costs are routinely passed down to the end buyer. These measures follow a significant customs overhaul intended to close a loophole for items valued under €150, which were previously exempt from duties.

Customs officials argue that the surge in cheap, non-compliant goods from abroad requires expensive, systematic oversight. Between June and September, the initial €3 charge generated €364 million for Belgian customs alone—a major entry point for the EU via Liège airport and the port of Antwerp. Data from Liège already indicates a 60 percent drop in small parcel volumes since the June rollout.

Beijing has criticized the move as protectionist, warning that European consumers will ultimately bear the brunt of the increased prices. Conversely, European trade groups like Comeos and consumer watchdogs like BEUC support the charges, viewing them as a necessary correction to unfair competition and a vital step toward ensuring product safety. By narrowing the price gap between imported goods and local alternatives, the EU aims to keep capital within its borders while forcing a reduction in the sheer volume of low-value, cross-border shipments.