From 1 November 2026, online purchases from countries outside the European Union will become even more expensive. On top of the 3-euro customs duty that has applied to parcels worth up to 150 euros since July, there will be an additional 2-euro fee for every separate customs item in a parcel. The measure applies to imports from all countries outside the EU, although orders from Temu, Shein and AliExpress will be hit hardest.
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Europe has apparently decided to defend itself against Chinese competition with additional charges. Since Chinese products pose ever greater competition to European companies, we’ll simply make importing them more expensive. Genius, isn’t it?
I understand the need to protect the European economy and ensure the same rules apply to everyone. But if Europe’s only response to Chinese competition is to introduce new fees, then we have a problem. Rather than investing in the competitiveness of European industry, cutting bureaucracy and making production more affordable, we’d rather introduce new costs.
Who will pay for it? Consumers, of course. Even if the online platforms formally pay the fees, sooner or later they will pass them on through product prices.
I have no problem with Europe protecting its economy from unfair competition. I do, however, have a considerable problem with the answer to almost every issue being a new fee, a new cost or another burden on consumers.
Europe will not become more competitive by making everything else more expensive. It will become more competitive when it can offer better products itself at prices people are willing to pay. Until then, it seems we’ll be saving European competitiveness with our own wallets.