The European Commission announced on Wednesday, February 5, that it wanted to impose “Treatment costs” to parcels sold by large online platforms and entering the European Union (EU), in order to finance reinforced customs controls against illegal products.
Customs services are overwhelmed by millions of small packages imported every day in Europe, mainly from China. Some do not meet European standards or represent a danger to the consumer. The sums collected will allow “Facing increasing costs” Controls, the committee said in a statement.
Non -compliant products
About 70 % of Europeans make online purchases, and some 12 million small low-value packages enter the EU every day, detailed the vice-president of the Commission, Henna Virkkunen, during a press conference.
About 91 % of these small packages come from China, sold by platforms such as Temu or Shein which are experiencing dazzling growth. The number of these little packages “Doubled in one year, between 2023 and 2024”underlined Mme Virkkunen.
“We have found that many products were non -compliant, even dangerous”she added. This wave of imports “Puts enormous pressure on the authorities of the EU member states, in particular our customs authorities, which are the first line of defense.”
In addition to the impact of these products on the health and safety of European consumers, it has mentioned their impact on the environment as well as distortions of competition with traders who respect EU standards.
Source: Lemonde