Buying items for just a few euros on Chinese platforms has become commonplace for millions of Spanish households. Apps like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress have become fully integrated into our consumption habits, offering seemingly unbeatable prices and an almost endless variety of products delivered directly to our doorsteps. However, this ease of acquiring goods at low cost is under scrutiny by European authorities, who are concerned about how the volume of small packages is overwhelming customs and harming local businesses.
The current import system allows orders under €150 to enter the EU duty-free, an advantage that major Asian platforms have exploited to flood the European market . But this tax exemption is nearing its end, as a reform of tariffs on packages under €150 is being prepared . The aim is to balance the trade deficit and ensure that all imported goods contribute fairly to public coffers.
What does the new tax on cheap imports consist of?
The measure, popularly known as the "Temu tax," is not actually a levy targeted exclusively at one brand, but rather a change in regulations for all low-value packages from outside the European Union. The main objective is to eliminate the €150 threshold and apply a fixed surcharge. The European Commission estimates that the current lack of control results in a loss of revenue of approximately €1.500 billion annually, due both to the exemption itself and to fraudulent value declarations.
Instead of a variable percentage that could be complex to manage for millions of minimum shipments, the 27 EU member states have opted for a charge of three euros for each type of product included in the package. This means that the final amount will depend on the variety of items purchased. If our order contains only cotton socks, the surcharge will be three euros, but if we add a simple electronic device , the figure will rise to six euros, as these are different tariff categories.
Technical operation and tariff codes
To determine the duty on each shipment, the administration relies on tariff subheadings, numerical codes that precisely identify the nature of the goods. This system, which is practically universal, divides items into broad categories and specific groups. For example, cotton clothing has a different code than clothing made of synthetic fibers. If a consumer decides to mix several types of goods in the same package, the system will recognize that they are importing different categories of products, adding three euros for each of these categories.
This tax structure will particularly affect products costing between two and five euros. Adding the new levy to the corresponding VAT and any handling fees could double the final price , making impulse purchases of micro-bargains less appealing. The EU's intention is clear: to make consumers think twice before ordering a single item from the other side of the world and instead look for alternatives within the EU market.
Application schedule and international experiences
The planned timeline for implementing this surcharge sets its application for July 1, 2026. This is a transitional phase that will initially last two years, pending the full operation of the new EU Customs Data Centre. It is crucial to understand that the payment is determined not by when the order is placed on the website, but by the day the package arrives at customs. If an order is placed at the end of June but is cleared in July, it will already be subject to the new rates.
Looking at what has happened in other places like Uruguay, where similar measures were implemented to discourage bulk purchases from China, the results are striking. In just one month, the volume of packages plummeted by more than 50% . Consumers reacted quickly to the increased costs and uncertainty surrounding the new procedures, demonstrating that these types of policies have a direct and immediate impact on digital trade flows.
In addition to the economic factor, authorities are emphasizing safety. Many of these platforms have been flagged for selling items that violate European standards , from toys with dangerous parts to cosmetics with unauthorized components. By tightening controls and increasing costs, it is also hoped that the quality of what reaches consumers will improve, while simultaneously reducing the enormous waste footprint generated by ultra-fast fashion and mass individual shipments.
The transformation of international e-commerce will force users to be more selective and platforms to readjust their logistics if they want to maintain their market share on the continent. Although the possibility of finding bargains will still exist, the added administrative and tax costs will make many low-value purchases unprofitable for the average consumer. Everything points to a paradigm shift where sustainability and the protection of local businesses are gaining ground over the immediacy and extremely low cost of the Asian model.
