EU Parcel Levy Cuts Chinese Imports by 53 Percent

The European Union introduced a €3 flat levy in July 2026 on small parcels valued under €150 to reduce the volume of cheap online goods entering the bloc from China. The measure specifically targets e-commerce platforms such as Temu and Shein and will remain active until a permanent customs arrangement is established in 2028.

Early data from Liege airport in Belgium, a primary hub for Chinese e-commerce, indicates the fee generated approximately €224 million during its first seven weeks. The levy led to a 53% decrease in small parcel arrivals at the airport in July 2026 compared to the same month the previous year.

Belgian Finance Minister Jan Jambon stated that the first results show the region is moving in the right direction. This policy arrives amid escalating trade tensions between the EU and China, with both parties facing an October deadline to resolve imbalances stemming from alleged Chinese overcapacity and unfair trading practices.