The European Commission is planning to introduce a €2 handling fee on small e-commerce packages — a move aimed at managing the growing influx of low-cost goods from platforms like Temu and Shein.
Under the proposal outlined by EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič, the fee would apply to direct-to-consumer parcels valued under €150, while packages shipped in bulk to EU warehouses would face a lower €0.50 fee. The charges would be paid by the e-commerce companies, not consumers.
The proposal seeks to encourage platforms to shift from direct parcel deliveries to bulk shipments, allowing for better customs oversight and reducing strain on inspection systems. A key concern, according to EU diplomats, is that individual consumers are effectively becoming importers, making it harder to ensure product safety.
Last year alone, the EU imported 4.6 billion packages under €150 — many of them low-quality, environmentally problematic goods that contribute to unfair competition for European manufacturers.
The handling fee is part of a broader customs reform plan, which includes the creation of a single EU Customs Authority and an integrated IT system. The Commission hopes to launch the reform as early as next year, rather than waiting until 2028.
