In recent years, First e Shane They have won over customers faster than second-hand products, and have entered Europe’s five most popular retailers. Now the European Union plans to limit the spread of these articles.
EU proposals
Among the measures under discussion is the introduction of a new tax on the purchase of Amounts below 150 euros, The threshold below which imports are not subject to customs duty and often escape control.
Highly competitive prices and increased order volumes have alarmed European institutions, which recognize the competitive impact of these low-cost companies. According to the Financial Times, imports have increased dramatically, reaching 350 million items in April 2024. Consequently, it is proposed to abolish the threshold which currently guarantees exemption from customs duty.
However, the project can grow significantly. Work load on personnel Already involved in managing a large number of controls. At the same time, the current limit and the increasing spread of these companies in Europe has led to a 50% increase in the number of detections of dangerous products in 2023, a figure that is causing concern among institutions.
According to the Financial Times, the new measures will primarily affect platforms. First, AliExpress e Shane, But they will apply to all online retailers shipping to EU customers from countries outside the bloc.
Product quality is at the core.
The European Commission has highlighted that the very low prices of products sold by platforms such as Timo and Sheen, often due to the poor quality of the materials used, are punishing European competitors, which that are obliged to respect the strict quality standards imposed by EU legislation.
Brussels also noted an increase in imports. Counterfeit goods e dangerous, For example, toxic toys, which often cost less than 150 euros, are delivered directly to consumers without any customs control. The European Commissioner for Trade, Maroš Šefčovič, has estimated that 4 billion parcels below this threshold will be moved across the Union in 2024, almost three times as many as in 2022.
According to the Financial Times, the number of hazardous products reported by EU member states has increased even more. 50%, 3,400 more in 2023 than last year. Items with the highest safety concerns include cosmetics, toys, electrical appliances and clothing.
Strategies with limits
But will these tips be easy to implement? Not really, actually. According to sources quoted by the Financial Times, the proposed new measures will present considerable difficulties in implementation due to limitations imposed by international law. euro commerce, The association representing EU retailers stressed that the handling would be too complex to justify under tax rules.World Trade Organization (WTO), which limits the amount of taxes and charges for customs processing to the actual value of the service rendered.
The WTO also noted that the implementation of new rules could take years and invited the European Commission and Member States to improve existing regulations at both national and Community levels, overcoming fragmentation between different areas of regulation. Speed up enforcement of laws.
A further hypothesis, which would involve introducing a tax on e-commerce revenues applicable to both EU and non-EU companies. Unanimous approval of 27 member states And could create negative effects for European companies themselves.