The European Union has introduced a €3 charge on low-value imports from China, challenging the business models of major online retailers and signalling a potential decline in air cargo volumes.
EU fees signal potential blow for Chinese e-commerce giants
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The European Union has begun imposing a €3 (US$3.4) fee on low-value e-commerce imports from China, in response to what the bloc characterises as “unfair” competition. The new EU fees move removes a duty-free exemption that allowed platforms such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress to offer more affordable prices, sparking complaints from EU policymakers and retailers.
The charges, which came into effect on Wednesday, are applied per customs classification within a shipment, Reuters reports. While a package containing only one type of item, such as multiple dresses or toys, incurs a single €3 charge, a parcel with three distinct types of goods would face a total levy of €9.
This policy shift ends a long-standing exemption that had become increasingly problematic to the EU as consumers in the bloc flocked to Chinese e-commerce platforms. Data indicates that the number of parcels entering the bloc under the exemption rose from 1.4 billion in 2022 to 5.8 billion in 2025.
[See more: US retailers step up holiday orders from China amid tariff fears]
Market analysts suggest that the impact of the EU fees on logistics could be substantial. Derek Lossing, an e-commerce and air cargo consultant at Cirrus Global Advisors, anticipates that air shipments of e-commerce goods into the EU could drop by 10 percent to 35 percent in the coming weeks. With the United States having already closed its own loophole for Chinese imports, platforms face diminishing alternative markets for redirecting their trade flows.
E-commerce giants respond to EU fees
Reuters says that retailers are now adjusting their operations in response to the EU fees. Shein has been expanding warehouse capacity in Poland, to facilitate bulk shipping within the EU, while AliExpress has confirmed it will implement clear labelling regarding duties and VAT for its customers. Amazon stated that the vast majority of its EU shipments are already fulfilled from within the bloc.
Industry observers expect consumer prices to rise as a result of the EU’s decision. The current €3 levy serves as a temporary measure ahead of the implementation of more comprehensive, category-specific duties scheduled for July 2028, when the new EU Customs Authority is set to become operational.
