ChannelEngine vs Temu

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Discover key insights from SAP Connect 2026, including ChannelEngine's partnership with SAP and how they enhance ecommerce operations for brands like Nestlé.

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EU imposes EUR 2 handling fee on direct imports

Since November 1, 2026, a new EU handling fee of EUR 2 per distinct item position applies to direct imports from third countries shipped to EU consumers. The fee, independent of product value, aims to cover the administrative costs of the growing number of small parcels entering the EU. It impacts international platforms like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress, potentially reducing their price advantage over European retailers with localized warehousing. Merchants, platform operators, or transport providers typically handle the payment, which may be passed on to consumers through higher prices. The regulation follows the abolition of the EUR 150 customs threshold on July 1, 2026, and the introduction of a flat EUR 3 duty per product category. The EU anticipates significant revenue, potentially reshaping competitive dynamics in cross-border e-commerce.

• EU introduces EUR 2 handling fee per distinct item position on direct imports from third countries effective November 1, 2026.
• The fee applies independently of the product's value and is triggered by the time of import into the EU.
• Affected platforms include Temu, Shein, and AliExpress, which ship goods directly from countries like China to EU consumers.

EU expects €6 billion from new import duties on cheap goods

The European Union is tightening regulations on low-cost online imports from third countries. New levies on low-priced shipments starting November 1, 2026, aim to strengthen import controls and generate additional revenue for the EU budget. According to internal European Commission calculations, these fees could raise around €6 billion annually from 2028, as reported by Reuters. Online platforms like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress, which ship large volumes directly from China, are particularly affected. The added costs could alter their pricing strategies and accelerate the expansion of European warehouses. In 2025, the EU saw 5.8 billion shipments valued under €150, a 26% increase year-over-year. Amazon, with 97% of its EU sales shipped from local warehouses, sees minimal impact. The revenue split—90% to EU budget, 10% to member states—is still under negotiation.

• The EU expects new fees on low-cost imports to generate about €6 billion annually from 2028.
• A new fee of €2 per order item will apply from November 1, 2026, on top of a €3 fee introduced in July 2026.
• In 2025, the EU recorded 5.8 billion shipments valued under €150, up 26% year-over-year.

EU demands Temu risk analysis by end of November

The European Commission has accepted Temu's action plan to address illegal and dangerous products, following a €200 million fine for breaching the Digital Services Act (DSA). The plan requires Temu to conduct thorough risk analyses focusing on algorithmic recommendations, product controls, and merchant manipulation, and to implement mechanisms to measure protective measure effectiveness. Temu must submit an interim risk assessment by November 30, 2026, and has four months to implement changes or face daily penalties. The Commission's investigations, including test purchases, revealed safety failures in products like chargers and baby toys with excessive chemicals and choking hazards. This case signals tighter EU scrutiny of platform algorithms and compliance, potentially increasing costs for international marketplaces while aiming to level the playing field for compliant retailers.

• EU Commission accepted Temu's action plan to reduce risks from illegal products.
• Temu fined €200 million in May 2026 for DSA violations.
• Action plan includes risk analysis, metrics, removal procedures, algorithmic recommendations, and merchant manipulation.