"Cheap Imports Under Scrutiny" EU Customs Reform Targets Affordable Goods From China
The Government aims to impose EU taxes on economical imports.
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In a bid to promote fair competition and safeguard jobs, the EU Commission plans to introduce customs tariffs on cheap imports, primarily focusing on goods from third countries like China sold via online retailers such as Temu and Shein. Here's a lowdown on the upcoming changes:
Customs Duties on Inexpensive Items
- The new legislation proposes levying customs duties on goods valued under €150, an exemption currently in place for only a handful of items like tobacco and perfumes[1]. This move is aimed at equalizing the competitive landscape for traders across the globe.
- To complement the tariffs, the EU is also evaluating a flat-rate handling fee of up to €2 on nearly all low-value parcels imported into the EU with a declared value of €150 or less[2]. This fee will help cover administrative costs associated with customs processing and safety checks. The average daily influx of such packages has surged to about 12 million, many originating from Chinese platforms[2].
Electronic Platform and Compliance Measures
- To enforce these measures effectively, the EU is developing a pan-European electronic platform for importers selling online in the EU. This will serve as a central hub for tax declarations, tax collection, and regulation enforcement[5].
- The platform will monitor imported products for compliance with safety, environmental, and quality requirements such as ISO and CE marks[5]. Non-compliant goods deemed harmful or not meeting EU standards will be barred from sale in the EU[5].
- Products made with polluting materials may face additional "green" taxes, making them less price-competitive compared to domestically produced goods adhering to stringent EU standards[5].
Objectives and Impact
- The reform seeks to create a level playing field for EU businesses and reduce market distortion caused by the influx of low-cost imports that often undercut local producers[1][3].
- The reform also addresses the escalating e-commerce trend and the subsequent surge in small, low-value package deliveries, which have stretched customs facilities and raised consumer safety concerns[1][2].
- While economic fairness and job protection play a primary role, the reform is also presented as essential for upholding consumer safety and environmental standards within the internal market[4][5].
In essence, the EU customs reform is set to establish tariffs on goods under €150, enforce a flat handling fee of up to €2 per small parcel, and introduce a new electronic platform to ensure compliance with EU standards. This initiative targets online retailers like Temu and Shein, aiming to curb cheap imports from China, shield local jobs, and maintain safety and environmental quality in the European market[1][2][5].
Sources:
- ntv.de
- mbr/dpa
- euobserver.com
- dw.com
- france24.com
- reuters.com
- The EU Commission's proposed customs reform includes the implementation of tariffs on employment policies, seeking to establish a level playing field for businesses within the industry, particularly in the face of cheap imports from China sold via online retailers.
- To address the surge in small, low-value package deliveries, the reform also plan for a flat handling fee of up to €2 per parcel, which will help cover administrative costs associated with customs processing and safety checks, thereby influencing the finance sector.
- In politics and general-news discussions, this reform is often highlighted as an effort to safeguard jobs, uphold consumer safety, and maintain environmental standards within the EU market, especially for products and materials that may face additional "green" taxes due to their polluting nature.
