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People in Spain who regularly order cheap items from Shein, Temu, AliExpress and other online marketplaces are facing another change to the cost of their purchases, with the European Unionpreparing a new fee for small parcels arriving from outside the bloc.

 

The new charge is expected to come into force by November 1 and is separate from the €3 customs duty introduced on July 1 for low-value goods.

 

The exact amount of the new fee hasn't yet been decided. The European Commission is expected to set the figure before it comes into force, and despite suggestions during negotiations that it could be€2 per item, officials have not confirmed that this will be the final amount.

 

The new fee is intended to cover the cost of dealing with the huge number of small packages entering the EU every day, including checking information, assessing risks and carrying out customs inspections where necessary.

 

The latest reform also places greater responsibility on the platforms and sellers bringing goods into the EU, making them responsible for customs formalities and the payment of the relevant duties rather than leaving those obligations to individual consumers.

 

That doesn't necessarily mean shoppers will be protected from the extra cost, however, as platforms could choose to pass some or all of their additional costs on through product prices or delivery charges.

 

The change comes after the EU introduced a €3 customs duty on July 1 for goods worth less than €150 arriving from outside the bloc. That charge applies according to the different product categories within a parcel rather than simply being a flat €3 per package, meaning a single order containing products from several categories could attract multiple €3 charges.

 

The measures are aimed at dealing with the enormous growth in low-value online shopping. Around 5.9 billion low-value items entered the EU through e-commerce in 2025, with around 93% originating in China, according to European Commission figures.

 

Brussels says the sheer volume makes customs controls more difficult and increases the risk of products that don't meet European safety and consumer standards entering the market, while also putting European businesses at a disadvantage.

 

The biggest overhaul is due in 2028, when a new EU Customs Data Centre is expected to come into operation. Online marketplaces will then be formally treated as importers and will be responsible for ensuring goods comply with EU rules as well as paying the relevant customs duties.

 

The current €3 system is expected to disappear from July 1, 2028, with parcels instead subject to the normal customs tariffs for their products.

 

 

 

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