EU Imports of Cheap Ecommerce Parcels Jump 26 % in 2025

The volume of low‑value ecommerce parcels entering the European Union continued to grow rapidly in 2025, with imports rising 26% year over year. In total, 5.8 billion parcels valued at €150 or less crossed EU borders last year, roughly one shipment per EU citizen per month. This trend highlights deepening shifts in cross‑border ecommerce and growing pressure on customs systems, retailers, and logistics networks across the bloc.

What’s Driving the Increase?

Most of these low‑value packages come from outside the EU, with China as the largest source. Platforms like Shein and Temu have driven much of this surge by selling directly to European consumers. They also leveraged longstanding import rules that previously waived customs duties on low-value shipments.

The ‘de minimis’ rule allows goods valued at €150 or less to enter the EU without standard customs duties. This exemption has made cheap, direct-to-consumer parcels especially attractive. That exemption helped keep prices low for shoppers, but it also created competitive challenges for domestic ecommerce brands and traditional retailers.

The growth in low‑value parcel flows has been dramatic over recent years. According to earlier European Commission figures, the number of such parcels more than doubled between 2022 and 2024, and the expansion continues into 2025.

Customs, Compliance, and Consumer Safety

A rapid rise in parcel volumes poses real challenges for customs authorities. The sheer scale of inbound traffic makes thorough inspections extremely difficult. As a result, parcels carrying products that may not comply with EU safety, environmental, or quality standards can slip through. Many of these goods are inexpensive items ordered online and shipped directly from factories in Asia.

This situation raises concerns on several fronts. First, products that do not meet EU regulatory requirements may pose safety risks to consumers. Second, the large volume of low-priced imports can distort competition, especially when domestic sellers invest in compliance and quality assurance. Finally, undervaluation of goods in customs declarations, affecting around 65% of parcels, reduces tax revenues that would otherwise be collected by the authorities.

Policy Response: A €3 Customs Duty

To address these challenges, the European Union has agreed to introduce a temporary flat customs duty of €3 per low‑value item from 1 July 2026. This interim measure is intended to bridge the gap until planned customs reforms are fully implemented. The duty is charged per item by tariff classification rather than per parcel, so a package with multiple distinct items may incur more than one charge.

For example, a parcel with a phone, a charger, and earphones could face a total duty of €9 under the new regime. Each item falls under its own customs code. That approach aligns the levy with the application of tariffs in broader trade policy and helps discourage undervaluation and parcel splitting.

This tariff does not replace value‑added tax (VAT), which must still be declared and paid under rules such as the Import One‑Stop Shop (IOSS) system. However, it marks a significant change in the EU’s treatment of low-value imports. It also signals a shift toward more stringent oversight of cross-border ecommerce flows.

Marketplaces and Retailers Are Responding

Retailers and ecommerce platforms must now adjust to this changing environment. For European sellers, removing the duty‑free advantage can help narrow the price gap with non‑EU competitors that ship directly into the Union. Better alignment of tax and customs obligations also supports fairer competition.

At the same time, marketplaces and global sellers that target EU consumers are re‑evaluating their logistics and tax strategies. Companies working through IOSS or maintaining local warehouses in the EU may find it easier to manage compliance and costs. Others outside the EU face tougher decisions on how to remain competitive while absorbing or passing on additional charges to buyers.

Logistics and Fulfilment Networks Under Strain

The rise in parcel volumes has stretched logistics and customs processing capacity. European carriers and postal operators are handling unprecedented peaks in inbound traffic. These operational pressures highlight the need for more efficient data flows and risk-based targeting of goods for inspection. This goal is central to the EU’s ongoing customs reforms.

For ecommerce logistics providers and platforms, this means investing in systems that can process product data early and reliably. Accurate specifications, consistent classification, and full metadata help customs authorities and carriers manage volumes more efficiently. They also support smoother delivery experiences for customers. High‑quality product content plays a role here, as it improves electronic declarations and reduces the need for manual border reviews.

What Comes Next?

The interim €3 customs duty represents an important step, but it is not the end of the story. The EU plans to abolish the €150 duty exemption once its broader Customs Data Hub becomes operational. This centralized IT platform forms a core part of the upcoming customs reform package. That system, currently slated for launch in 2028, will enable full tariff determination and risk analysis for imports of all values.

In the meantime, ecommerce players should anticipate changes in cross‑border demand and pricing. As costs adjust, consumer behaviour may shift toward more EU‑based sellers or platforms with established local infrastructure. For brands and retailers, this underscores the value of well‑structured product data, transparent classification, and tax compliance as competitive assets.

The Bigger Picture

The surge in low‑value parcel imports reflects deeper trends in global ecommerce. Consumers are comfortable ordering small items directly from overseas sellers, and marketplaces have built elaborate direct‑to‑doorstep networks. Yet as volume increases, the need for regulatory frameworks increases accordingly. These frameworks must balance consumer choice, safety, tax fairness, and competitive markets.

Europe’s response, through customs duties, handling fees, and long‑term data systems, signals a shift toward more balanced cross‑border ecommerce. As these policies take shape, businesses with strong product content, accurate classifications, and agile operations will be better positioned to navigate changing trade dynamics.