European Parliament Report Adopted: Tackling the Flood of Low-Quality Goods from Non-EU E-Shops
7/12/20252 min read
With cross-border e-commerce booming, approximately 12 million parcels from non-EU online shops enter Europe daily, overwhelming customs and market surveillance. On July 3, 2025, the European Parliament voted by 619 to 26 with 46 abstentions to adopt its report “Managing the Influx of Substandard Goods from Non-EU Web Shops,” setting the stage for major reforms to the EU Customs Code .
1. Why the “Parcel Deluge” Can’t Be Ignored
Massive Volume: 12 million small parcels per day exceed customs’ inspection capacity.
Consumer Safety Risks: Many items pose health or safety hazards or fail to meet EU standards.
Unfair Competition: EU-based merchants struggle against low-cost, low-quality imports.
Public Cost Burden: Waste-management costs for non-recyclable packaging fall on taxpayers .
2. Five Key Proposals to Relieve Customs
ProposalMain Measure1. In-EU Consolidation HubsEncourage non-EU sellers to set up warehousing hubs within the EU for bulk quality checks before parcel distribution, replacing one-by-one checks.2. End €150 De MinimisIn the forthcoming Customs Code overhaul, remove the VAT and duty exemption for shipments under €150—currently 65% of parcels underreport value.3. €2 Handling FeeBack the Commission’s plan to levy a €2 processing fee per imported parcel, compliant with WTO rules and not passed on to consumers.4. Digital & New TechPush for AI, blockchain, and other frontier tools to automate customs and market surveillance, supported by funding for infrastructure and training.5. High-Risk Supplier ControlsRequire member states to tighten access for “high-risk” suppliers in customs and border control systems (e.g., scanners, IT providers).
3. Parliament’s View: Fair, Safe, Transparent
MEP Salvatore De Meo (EPP, IT) said after the vote:
“Every online purchase could hide health, safety, and consumer-rights risks—far too many non-EU platforms are bypassing the rules. Our businesses should not compete on an uneven playing field. We must strengthen customs controls, ensure end-to-end traceability of sellers, and crack down on abusive practices to create a fairer, safer, and more transparent digital market.”
4. Next Steps: Customs Code “Reboot” Talks Begin
From July 8, 2025, trilogue negotiations on the revised EU Customs Code will start. With this report’s adoption:
Warehousing and de minimis reforms will be negotiation priorities.
Handling fees and tech investments may emerge as key new measures.
Clearer oversight and accountability rules will be on the table.
Stay tuned for our follow-up coverage and expert analysis as the negotiations unfold!