Headlines

EU to impose customs duties on small parcels in 2026 in hit to China's Shein, Temu

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on November 13, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 21, 2026

Add as preferred source on Google
EU to impose customs duties on small parcels in 2026 in hit to China's Shein, Temu
Global Banking & Finance Awards 2026 — Call for Entries

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -European Union finance ministers agreed on Thursday to bring forward to "as soon as possible in 2026" the introduction of customs duties on low-value parcels arriving in the 27-

EU Plans Customs Duties on Low-Value Parcels from China by 2026

Impact of New Customs Duties on E-Commerce

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -European Union finance ministers agreed on Thursday to bring forward to "as soon as possible in 2026" the introduction of customs duties on low-value parcels arriving in the 27-nation EU, an EU spokesman said, in a move that will hit Chinese on-line retailers Shein and Temu.

Overview of EU Customs Regulations

The initial EU plan was to remove the custom duty exemption for parcels valued at less than 150 euros ($174.93) only in 2028. But the billions of packages arriving in the EU mainly from China have triggered a backlash from businesses and put pressure on politicians to act faster.

Effects on Chinese Retailers

($1 = 0.8575 euros)

Shein and Temu Response

(Reporting by Jan Strupczewski; editing by Philip Blenkinsop)

Key Takeaways

  • EU to impose customs duties on low-value parcels by 2026.
  • Move targets Chinese retailers like Shein and Temu.
  • Initial plan was for 2028, now accelerated to 2026.
  • Pressure from businesses and politicians prompted change.
  • New regulations affect billions of parcels from China.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is e-commerce?
E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. It includes online retail, electronic payments, and digital transactions.
What is a low-value parcel?
A low-value parcel is typically defined as a shipment of goods that falls below a certain monetary threshold, which may be exempt from customs duties.
What is the impact of customs duties on retailers?
Customs duties can increase the cost of importing goods, potentially leading to higher prices for consumers and reduced competitiveness for retailers in the market.
What are financial regulations?
Financial regulations are laws and rules governing the financial services industry, aimed at maintaining the integrity of financial markets and protecting consumers.

Tags

Related Articles

More from Headlines

Explore more articles in the Headlines category