On Wednesday, the European Parliament adopted proposals to address the increasing influx of substandard and potentially dangerous goods from non-EU web shops. The report was passed with 619 votes in favor, 26 against, and 46 abstentions. It aims to alleviate pressure on customs and market surveillance authorities responsible for checking the safety of approximately 12 million small e-commerce packages entering the EU daily.
The report suggests that warehousing could be a solution for ensuring package safety. This would involve convincing non-EU traders to establish warehouses within the EU to process deliveries. Bulk shipments into these warehouses would be easier to check than individual packages arriving from third countries.
MEPs also support removing the current customs duty exemption for goods valued under €150 as part of a broader Customs Code reform. About 65% of parcels entering the EU are deliberately undervalued.
The report cautiously supports imposing a €2 handling fee on individual e-commerce packages from outside the EU, as proposed by the Commission in its communication on e-commerce. MEPs want assurance that this fee is proportionate, compliant with WTO rules, and not passed on to EU consumers.
Digitalization is highlighted as a potential means to ease customs overload through new AI tools and blockchain technology. MEPs urge member states to allocate more funds for adopting these tools and focus on enforcing existing rules while ensuring platforms meet their obligations.
Additionally, MEPs recommend restricting high-risk vendors from operating in critical infrastructure and border security systems within member states.
Lead MEP Salvatore De Meo (EPP, IT) commented: “Behind every online purchase, there may be hidden risks to health, safety, and consumer rights – and too often, these risks come from non-EU operators who bypass the rules. Our businesses cannot be expected to compete on such unfair terms.”
Some proposals will be discussed during negotiations between Parliament and Council regarding a major reform of Union’s Customs Code that began on July 8th.
E-commerce offers convenience but presents challenges such as non-compliance with EU safety norms and unfair competition affecting businesses. Consumers face manipulative practices while taxpayers bear costs related to non-recyclable waste management due to inadequate processing capacity for incoming packages.
