The European Union is planning to enforce new rules that will make major e-commerce platforms, including Temu, Shein and Amazon Marketplace, liable for 'unsafe' or 'illegal' goods sold through their services. This is part of a wider campaign against massive imports from China, Financial Times reports.
What will the new rules change?
- Under the draft customs reform, online platforms will be required to provide data on goods before they arrive in the EU. This will allow customs services to more effectively control imports and inspect packages.
- The reform is aimed at combating dangerous and counterfeit goods that reach European consumers directly.
- Currently, buyers are responsible for importing online orders, but the new reform will put the responsibility on platforms.
- Online retailers will have to collect the appropriate customs duties and VAT, as well as ensure that the goods comply with other EU requirements.
Are Chinese goods a danger to EU consumers?
In 2024, 4.6 billion small packages were imported into the EU, four times more than in 2022. Around 90% of these goods will come from China. This volume of imports places an excessive burden on customs authorities.
Customs data from the 27 EU member states will be combined and a new central body, the European Customs Administration (EUCA), will be created to analyze it. This will allow checks to be carried out before goods are loaded for transport or before they physically arrive in the EU.
The EU also intends to introduce new environmental rules requiring sellers to finance the disposal of unwanted goods, including clothing. In addition, the possibility of introducing a fee for processing each individual package is being considered.
As a reminder, the European Union launched an investigation into Temu, in particular, whether the design of the platform is addictive to users and whether the service sells prohibited goods.
Read more: Data trade, forced labour, and rapid popularity – what's wrong with TEMU marketplace