Core Points - The EU plans to eliminate the tax exemption for imported small packages valued under €150, replacing it with a fee of €2 per package for direct shipments to consumers and €0.5 for packages stored in EU warehouses [1][4][5] - The majority of these small packages come from China, with 91% of the 4.6 billion packages entering the EU last year originating from there, indicating a significant impact on Chinese cross-border e-commerce platforms like Temu and Shein [1][4] - The new fee aims to alleviate the workload on EU customs officials and is seen as a management cost rather than a tax, with some revenue expected to support customs operations [4][5] Group 1 - The EU's new regulation is a response to the overwhelming volume of low-value imports, which has created challenges for customs inspections and compliance [4][5] - The fee structure is intended to encourage platforms like Temu and Shein to consolidate shipments and utilize EU warehouses for distribution [5][6] - The EU is under pressure to find alternative funding sources for its budget, particularly to repay debts from the COVID-19 recovery fund, and this fee is seen as a potential solution [4][5] Group 2 - The EU's decision follows similar actions by the US, which previously removed tax exemptions for low-value imports, raising concerns about a potential influx of goods into the EU market [7] - The EU Commission supports implementing this customs reform sooner than initially planned, with the fee being a temporary measure until broader reforms are enacted [5][6] - The French budget minister indicated that the fees collected would be used to fund inspections at entry points, emphasizing that the costs should be borne by importers and platforms rather than consumers [6]
欧盟欲对小包裹下手,“大部分来自中国”
Guan Cha Zhe Wang·2025-05-21 08:17