The European Union (EU) warned that most goods purchased online and shipped directly from third countries to European consumers do not meet safety standards or EU regulations.
In a statement released on January 7, European customs authorities emphasized: “We are on the front lines. Customs handles the enormous and growing volume of goods purchased online and imported directly to consumers in the EU.” According to the EU, the volume of small parcels sent to the bloc has doubled every year since 2022, reaching 4,6 billion shipments in 2024.
The report states that customs controls, in collaboration with national market surveillance authorities, revealed that “most goods shipped directly to EU consumers from third countries do not comply with EU safety rules and standards.” Specifically, the inspection of 20.000 toys and small electronic devices showed that more than half did not meet European standards, and of the products subjected to laboratory testing, 84% proved to be dangerous.
The EU underlines the magnitude of the challenge: "By 2025, small shipments will represent..."97% of shipmentsCustoms cannot adequately control them using traditional methods. For this reason, a customs reform was announced that holds online platforms and sellers accountable: “With online platforms and sellers as official importers, EU consumers can be confident that all taxes and duties have been paid, and that their purchases are safe and comply with EU environmental, safety, and ethical standards.”
The EU has already implemented measures for more effective control of e-commerce imports and to ensure a level playing field with traditional retailers. Member States agreed to eliminate the customs duty exemption for packages under €150, replacing it with a single tariff of €3 per item, which will come into effect on July 1 2026. This reform makes online platforms and sellers key players in ensuring that goods sold online comply with all customs obligations, a significant change from the current system, in which the responsibility lies with the consumer and the carriers.
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