Last week, EU lawmakers struck a deal on the long-awaited EU customs reform.
Cheap imports from China have spiralled out of control. In 2024, 4.6 billion small parcels were imported into the EU. This is double the 2023 total of 2.3 billion, and four times the number recorded in 2022.
Many of these imports defy the law. Random checks revealed that 90% of the products failed to comply with EU standards, including critical safety regulations on dangerous chemicals in items like children’s toys. That figure is only 8% for traditional retailers.
The lead liberal MEP on this file, Jeannette Baljeu MEP (VVD, NL) says that Europe has an exponential problem on its hands. However, this reform aims to put an end to these abuses, most notably by holding platforms accountable for the products they sell and introducing heavier sanctions for platforms evading the law.
Baljeu explains: “Today, if a customer buys a toxic toy, they have no recourse. Legally, they are considered the ‘importers’ of the goods they purchase. This system is fundamentally flawed for e-commerce, as consumers cannot realistically ensure compliance. With this reform, we will make platforms like Temu and Shein the responsible importers of the goods they sell to our consumers. Platforms will no longer be able to wash their hands of their products, and we won’t have to wash ours twice after handling them."
The reform will kick in in 2028, so platforms will have the time to finally put in place the necessary due diligence mechanisms on the products they sell.