Regulation Market: EU's €3 customs fee hits Temu, Shein, AliExpress

The EU has introduced a new customs flat fee of €3 that will be charged per tariff subheading on small imports, a reform aimed at covering rising administrative costs and reducing competitive distortions between non‑EU sellers and European retailers. The rule disproportionately affects low‑price, direct‑from‑Asia marketplaces such as Temu, Shein and AliExpress, where many sellers split larger orders into multiple small parcels to avoid duties. Impact will vary by product category and business model because the fee applies per different tariff category inside a parcel (e.g., multiple product categories in one parcel can trigger multiple €3 charges). The EU cites a surge in small consignments (about 5.8 billion in 2025) and major logistics hubs such as Liège Airport processed roughly 1.1 billion e‑commerce transactions last year. Platforms may respond via order consolidation, local EU warehousing, or price strategies.