I regularly order from AliExpress, and until now, I often had to wait two or…
The European Commission is considering a drastic measure to regulate Chinese online retail giants, particularly AliExpress.
This initiative aims to eliminate the customs duty exemption for imported products under €150.
Currently, orders below this threshold escape additional fees, thus favoring AliExpress in the European market.
An Offensive That Could Hurt
Europe's plan is simple but radical: remove the customs duty exemption on products under €150.
This measure targets Chinese giants, who base their business model on low prices and non-existent fees.
If adopted, it would deliver a decisive blow to AliExpress, forcing consumers to pay more for each order.
Impact on Consumers and the Platform
Under current law, every order placed outside the European Union escapes customs duties if its value is below €150.
For Chinese platforms, this specificity almost always guarantees the absence of additional fees.
But the European Commission might reverse its decision, as it has already done for Chinese electric cars sold in Europe.
In 2023, two billion parcels worth less than €150 were shipped to Europe from abroad.
These small packages overwhelm customs services and create unfair competition, according to Brussels.
An Ecological Penalty in Sight
The European Commission also plans an ecological penalty. This system would impose up to €10 in tax on each item ordered.
The goal is to reduce the environmental impact of online sales platforms, often accused of multiplying products to the detriment of the environment.
Reinforced Safety Standards
Brussels also wants to legislate on the quality of imported products. Items sold on AliExpress rarely meet European safety standards.
Europe intends to crack down on this point to protect consumers.
Reactions from European Players
European industry players support this project. They believe it restores fair competition.
AliExpress will have to choose between absorbing the additional costs or relocating part of its production to Europe, an unlikely option.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the European Commission‘s measure against Chinese online retail giants, and AliExpress in particular, could shake up the market.
By eliminating the customs duty exemption for products under €150, European consumers will pay more.
Additionally, the implementation of strict quality standards and an ecological penalty will strengthen regulation.
This initiative aims to protect consumers and reduce environmental impact while restoring fair competition in the European market.
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Well then my money stops cause if i cannot spent where I want to spent it, it stays home! I find another way but the EU stores. Or stores like action=china.
Fair competition, take a good look at your self EU, money laundering yourself through misery and war, corruption in 2005, turning the NO votes in to yes in 3 states, and you where never chosen to begin with, that makes you a tyrant.
And btw my town has no stores like that anymore for a long long time, it’s; secondhand stores, 1 pet store with nothing, eateries, supermarkets, drugstore the rest is all gone for a long long time. So EU are you gonna make them come back?? I doubt it.
All I see you do is taking the tax dollars of the common people. And your EU parliament members and co. still only pay, what? 15% tax instead of the something 30% or 50% for the rest of EU?? Hypocrites.
Hello Bert,
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Many consumers share similar concerns. For years, platforms like AliExpress, Temu, Action, and other low-cost retailers have provided access to affordable products that are sometimes difficult to find locally.
The European Union argues that these new measures are intended to create fairer competition between European businesses and overseas sellers, while also addressing environmental and customs-related concerns. However, many consumers worry that the result will simply be higher prices and fewer choices.
As for local shops, that is a concern raised by many people across Europe. In numerous towns, independent stores have gradually disappeared over the years, often due to changing consumer habits, online shopping, and broader economic factors.
It will be interesting to see whether these new regulations help strengthen local commerce or simply increase costs for consumers. Time will tell.
Thank you again for contributing to the discussion.
The Que-Dalle.com Team