The process of imposing customs duties on small parcels entering the European Union is being accelerated, as part of an effort to curb the influx of low-cost Chinese imports purchased online from platforms such as Shein and Temu.

The decision was announced by Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. In 2023, the European Commission had proposed abolishing the duty-free threshold for goods valued below €150, but planned to implement the measure in 2028, alongside a broader overhaul of the EU’s customs framework.

However, in a letter to EU finance ministers on Thursday, Šefčovič proposed scrapping the threshold in the first quarter of 2026, bringing the timeline forward by two years.

The move, expected to affect online retail platforms such as Shein and Temu, is intended to send a clear message that the EU is taking seriously its efforts to protect the competitiveness of European businesses, Šefčovič wrote in his letter.

Shein declined to comment, while Temu did not immediately respond to a request for statements. It is worth noting that Shein is already facing legal challenges in France over the sale of child sex dolls on its platform.

The number of low-value parcels arriving in the EU doubled last year, reaching 4.6 billion, with more than 90% originating from China. As a result, the Commission is under pressure from EU-based companies to accelerate measures aimed at controlling this surge.

In the United States, the federal government has already eliminated its own “de minimis” threshold allowing duty-free entry for goods valued under $800, prompting concerns that cheap Chinese imports could increasingly shift toward Europe.

Pressure is intensifying further, as several EU countries appear willing to adopt national-level policies on such fees.

EuroCommerce, the lobby representing European retailers and wholesalers, warned that this could undermine the EU’s single market.

The Commission has proposed a €2 fee, though it remains unclear when it will be implemented.