Since July 1st, the European Union has implemented a new temporary tariff that directly affects low-value purchases made through platforms such as AliExpress, Temu, and Shein. The so-called 'Shein tax' imposes a surcharge of 3 euros for each product category. included in an order under €150 from outside the EU. The measure, which Brussels justifies as necessary to curb the flood of cheap imports and protect local businesses, is already generating intense debate among experts and small retailers.
In practice, the tax is not applied per package, but per type of item. If an order contains ten identical t-shirts, the surcharge is 3 euros; if it includes t-shirts, shoes and cosmetics, the charge rises to 9 euros. (3 euros per category). According to data from the European Commission, around 91% of these shipments come from China, making the major Asian platforms in the main recipients of the regulation. However, the cost ends up falling on the final consumer, since companies pass it on to the selling price or, in some cases, absorb it in order not to lose competitiveness.
The doubts of economist Santiago Niño Becerra
The popular economist Santiago Niño Becerra has analyzed the measure in several radio appearances and has questioned whether it will achieve the announced objectives. According to Niño Becerra, the main effect of the tax will be "to increase tax revenue"But she doesn't believe it will guarantee that imported products comply with European safety and quality standards. "What I don't see is how creating a three-euro tax is going to help ensure that cosmetics coming from China comply with these standards if they don't already," she stated on Cadena SER radio.
The economist also questions whether the surcharge will divert consumption towards local businesses. "If a blouse that costs two or three euros suddenly costs six, I honestly don't see how this will significantly influence the shift towards Spanish commerce."He asserts that, in his opinion, the price difference with European products will remain so significant that consumers will not change their purchasing habits en masse. Furthermore, he points out that Asian platforms have room to adapt, for example, by establishing warehouses within the European Union.
The paradoxical effect on Spanish SMEs and the self-employed
One of the less visible aspects of the new tax is its impact on small businesses. Many self-employed individuals and Spanish micro-enterprises import materials, parts or accessories from Asia through small-value shipmentsAnd now they face an additional fixed cost that reduces their margins. Sectors such as electronics, repairs, crafts, and clothing are the most affected, as they place frequent orders to replenish stock.
The paradox, as the logistics employers' association UNO warns, is that the measure could accelerate the implementation of large platforms in Europe. Temu, AliExpress, and Shein already operate warehouses in several countries across the continent and can import on a large scale for distribution from there.This avoids the surcharge for individual shipments. If this strategy takes hold, delivery times will be drastically reduced, and competition for small businesses will become even fiercer. In fact, some sources suggest that these platforms could open new logistics centers in Spain to bring products closer to the end consumer.
Given this scenario, many self-employed individuals could end up selling within the Asian marketplaces themselves to maintain their sales volume. The platforms have already evolved into a digital marketplace model where third-party sellers offer their products in exchange for commissions.And for micro-enterprises, it may be the only way to access millions of customers. However, this dependence implies paying commissions, adapting to the platform's rules, and competing with international sellers, which in practice creates a paradox: the tax designed to protect local businesses It ends up pushing small businesses to integrate into the same channels that previously harmed them.
France withdraws its national tax after discovering that platforms were circumventing it.
While the European rate is moving forward, France has reversed its own €2 tariff on small packages. The French government discovered that Shein, Temu, and AliExpress had changed their flight paths to land in Belgium.This bypassed French customs. From there, the packages were distributed by road within the European Union without paying the national tax. As a result, of the €400 million expected to be collected, only €2,3 million was actually collected.
Given the evidence that the measure was ineffective, France has decided to abolish its tax and simply apply the common EU tax of 3 euros. Since it is mandatory in all countries of the bloc, Asian platforms cannot circumvent it by changing borders.This makes the tariff a more robust instrument. However, the French case demonstrates the adaptability of these companies and the difficulty of taxing cross-border e-commerce.
In any case, the European Union is already preparing a new customs management fee that will be added to the current 3 euros. According to the European Council, from 1 November 2026 an additional surcharge of around 2 euros per product category will be applied to cover processing and security check costs. This means that, in the fall, an order with two different categories (for example, trousers and a t-shirt) could have a total surcharge of 10 euros (3+3 of the current fee and 2+2 for the new processing fee).
Local businesses, meanwhile, welcome the measure, albeit with reservations. Jesús López Pay, president of the Federation of Commerce of the Region of Murcia, believes that the tax may make consumers think twice before buying ultra-cheap products.However, he warns that small businesses must adapt to new consumer habits, for example, by using social media to sell. Natalio Morcillo, from the Tokio Store in Murcia, believes that "it was about time something was done" and hopes the surcharge will help level the playing field, although he considers it "a bit insufficient."
In short, the 'Shein tax' is now in effect and its effects are beginning to be felt, but the debate about its real effectiveness remains open. While consumers pay more for their orders and platforms seek logistical alternatives, small businesses hope to recover some of the lost ground.However, the road ahead will not be easy. The European Union, for its part, is already working on new surcharges that will further tighten the conditions for low-cost online purchases from outside the bloc.
