In the fight against distortion of competition, previously duty-free, cheap goods from third countries should in future also be subject to customs duties in the EU. At a meeting in Brussels, Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil and his counterparts from EU countries voted by a majority to abolish the currently applicable 150 euro exemption limit. Danish Minister Stephanie Lose said this after the meeting. Denmark currently holds the rotating presidency of EU countries.
In the future, tariffs will be levied on all goods imported into the EU from the first euro. It remains to be seen whether cheap products will become more expensive as a result.
The initiative supported by the federal government is intended to combat distortion of competition and fraud. The abolition was a clear signal from the EU that the flooding of European markets with large quantities of cheap imported goods from third countries – especially from Asia – was unacceptable, it said.
The decision is based on a proposal from the EU Commission. The new regulation will apply from 2028, when a digital platform for processing and control will also be launched. However, the member states want to introduce a transitional solution next year.