Chinese and other non-EU seller marketplaces face customs admin charge in response to widespread tax evasion
European Commission officials are reported to be considering a new customs administration levy on platforms for non-EU sourced low-value imports. A potential handling charge framework is likely to be made public on 4th February 2025 with the new Polish Commission in office at the start of January 2025. The move is spurred by complaints from many member states of unfair tax and lax product standards, discussed at the 10 December ECOFIN meeting of EU finance ministers.
The idea of a revenue levy, especially on Chinese sellers or platforms, now seems to have been put aside.
The €150 customs duties threshold is to be scrapped under 2028 EU customs reform proposals.
Any levy could be targeted at marketplaces on non-EU sourced goods sold to EU consumers and declared as under the €150 customs exemption threshold. It is believed that there is widespread under declarations of the value of parcels sold on popular sites such as Shein and Temu. Shipments from such sites will top €4 billion this year, and have tripled since 2022.
However, administration charge reported as being considered however would likely fall foul of international tax rules and treaties. And would most probably transgress World Trade Organisation rules.
