Shopping at low prices on platforms like Shein, AliExpress, or Temu may soon become less affordable. The European Union has approved a new tax for packages originating from third countries, a measure expected to increase the cost of many low-cost orders. Consequently, consumers intending to purchase from these platforms should be aware that their shipments may incur additional charges once this new regulation takes effect in July.
This change in customs regulations will directly impact millions of Spanish consumers who regularly shop on websites from China or other countries. The measure is set to come into force on July 1, 2026, and will abolish the current duty exemption for low-value packages sent from non-EU countries. Previously, orders under 150 euros could enter European territory without customs duties. Under the new system, any shipment from outside the EU will be subject to a surcharge, even if the product costs only a few euros.
The new regulation establishes a fixed fee of 3 euros per customs tariff category included within the same shipment. This means a single order could incur multiple charges depending on the items it contains. For instance, purchasing several identical t-shirts will result in a single 3-euro surcharge. However, if the package mixes clothing, accessories, and electronic items, the cost will increase because each group is taxed separately. Even two similar garments might be considered different categories if made from different materials; a cotton t-shirt and a polyester one could generate two independent taxes.
The European Commission justifies this reform for several economic and logistical reasons, including the immense volume of low-cost packages arriving daily at European customs. Brussels states that millions of shipments currently benefit from the exemption for products under 150 euros, a system that, according to EU authorities, has fostered undervaluation practices and unequal competition against European businesses.
The tax will only apply to goods shipped directly from outside the EU. This implies that many products stored in European logistics centers of platforms like Shein or AliExpress might be exempt from the surcharge, as they would have already passed customs control before being offered for sale. The expectation is that major operators will automatically integrate this tax into the final price displayed to the user before purchase confirmation. However, if the seller is not part of the simplified European import system, the consumer might face a more inconvenient scenario, with the package held at customs and incurring additional administrative fees.
The fixed 3-euro fee will be a temporary solution. The European Union plans to replace it from 2028 with a new system of percentage-based tariffs linked to the product's value and type. For the textile sector, initial estimates suggest levies close to 12%. Through this reform, Brussels aims to tighten control over massive low-cost imports and reduce the competitive advantage that many non-EU platforms have held over European retail.
