In the fight against a flood of cheap products, the EU countries want to introduce a levy on parcels from countries outside the European Union. How high this should be is not initially announced. The proposed measure is part of a reform of the customs union, with which, among other things, duty -free, cheap goods from third countries should be taxable.
Germany has already campaigned for changes in consultations with the other EU countries. “We have to ensure fair competitive conditions and thus also protect jobs,” finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) recently said on the sidelines of a meeting with his EU colleagues in Luxembourg.
The Federal Government wants to make very clear in the consultations that “Ramsch products” from China, dumping prices and overcapacity must be discussed. “Such trading practices harm Germany, they harm companies in Germany and they harm companies in Europe.” Before new rules can come into force, a final compromise with the European Parliament must be found.
Commission had already proposed reform
The EU Commission proposed a corresponding reform around two years ago. According to your will, numerous goods under 150 euros are to be liable. So far, no customs have to be paid if the value of the goods is less than 150 euros – according to the Commission, there are only a few – for example for tobacco or perfume. So far, large online marketplaces from the Far East-such as Temu and Shein-have benefited from the duty-free rule.
Online trading has led to a very increased number of deliveries of small goods packages with low value in the EU in recent years. According to the EU Commission, around twelve million packages arrived in the EU every day – significantly more than in the two previous years.
The chairwoman of the internal market committee in the EU Parliament, Anna Cavazzini, hopes that customs will be better positioned and better checked by the reform. “Toxic teddy bears or fire alarms who do not discover fire are more difficult to land directly in the children’s and living rooms,” said the Greens MP.