The number of low-cost e-commerce packages that the European Union received from countries outside the Union increased sharply again last year, by 26 percent. A total of 5.8 billion parcels worth up to 150 euros were imported. This represents roughly one package per EU citizen per month.
The amount of international e-commerce packages containing relatively cheap products has been growing for years and is a thorn in the side of Brussels. Most of these shipments originate from China, which is due to purchases by European consumers on platforms such as AliExpress, Shein and Temu. These platforms have experienced years of explosive growth, although their growth rate has slowed somewhat recently.
A mountain of Chinese parcels
The total number of parcels entering the European Union was 26 percent higher last year than in 2024, according to the European Commission. The volume is more than four times higher than in 2022. Customs authorities in EU member countries are having difficulty controlling the contents of these packages. In practice, this often proves impossible, allowing dangerous products to flood the market. In addition to the risk of harming consumers, this creates unfair competition for European companies. The commission previously estimated that around two-thirds of small shipments entering the EU were undervalued to avoid duties, Reuters notes.
The volume of international parcels has quadrupled in three years
In recent years, the European Union has taken several steps to limit the flow of parcels, especially from China. It has decided to end the VAT exemption for international shippers more quickly and introduce a fixed fee of €3 per product from July. A European handling fee is being worked on separately, which is expected later this year.
Local warehouses
AliExpress, Shein and Temu, as well as JD.com, are building warehouses on the European continent. The purpose of this is not only to circumvent import duties, but also to enable faster delivery to consumers and combine low prices with speed. For example, Temu, which competes with Amazon in global cross-border sales, is aiming for 80 percent local shipping in Europe, thanks in part to a growing number of European sales partners.