EU Customs Duty Cuts Low-Value Imports from China by Nearly 80 Percent
The introduction of a new EU customs duty in July has led to a sharp decline in low-value e-commerce shipments from outside the European Union, particularly affecting imports from China. Finnish Customs data shows that the number of such shipments dropped by 66.5 percent in July compared to June and by 76.3 percent year-on-year (MTV Uutiset, Yle).
The duty, colloquially referred to as the "Temu duty" (MTV Uutiset), applies a minimum €3 customs fee to all goods ordered from outside the EU, regardless of value. Previously, shipments under €150 were exempt from customs duties, a rule that disproportionately benefited Chinese e-commerce platforms like Temu and Shein (Yle). The reform aligns low-value imports with standard customs procedures, aiming to level the playing field for EU-based retailers.
Impact on Finnish Consumers and Online Shopping
The Finnish Commerce Federation reports that the duty has had a "significant impact on the behavior of Finnish consumers" (Yle). A survey by the federation found that online visits from Finland to Chinese e-commerce platforms decreased in 2026 (MTV Uutiset, Yle). Kari Luoto, CEO of the Finnish Commerce Federation, stated that the change demonstrates the EU’s ability to act "swiftly and effectively to promote fair competition and consumer safety" (Yle).
The surge in cheap imports had been a growing concern for EU policymakers. In 2023, Finland received nearly 55 million shipments of goods valued under €150—69 percent more than the previous year—with over 98 percent originating from China (Yle). On average, each shipment contained about four items. At the EU level, the volume of such shipments rose from 1.4 billion in 2022 to 5.8 billion in 2025, highlighting the rapid expansion of cross-border e-commerce (Yle).
The reform reflects the EU’s broader effort to curb the influx of low-cost imports, which have been accused of undercutting domestic retailers and raising concerns over product safety and labor standards. While the long-term effects remain to be seen, the initial data suggests the measure has achieved its immediate goal of reducing the flow of cheap, duty-free goods into the EU market.
