We welcome the symbolic measure of a proposed €2 handling fee for goods purchased from non-EU online sellers and directly imported into the EU. However, by introducing this measure through the halted Union Customs Code negotiations, crucial time is lost as 12 million parcels are imported in the EU each day without proper controls. Additional action is immediately needed, as in itself this won’t be sufficient to address the real issue: the daily flood of unsafe and non-compliant products reaching EU consumers through online platforms, without anyone being accountable for their safety.
Summary
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Such a minimal fee – which stands in sharp contrast with the $100 fee recently imposed by the US - will not halt the flow of non-compliant products and risks becoming a tax to allow non-compliant products in the EU.
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Crucially, this measure does nothing to tackle the broader consumer protection problem. It allows non-compliant sellers to retain an unfair advantage over EU-based companies that invest in product safety and meet stringent regulatory standards. Responsible businesses are being undercut by competitors who ignore EU rules and offer cheaper, riskier alternatives.
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There is a serious risk that this tool will be used as a mean to postpone the much-needed measures to ensure that online marketplaces are held accountable when there is no EU based responsible party and that they are recognised as economic operators.
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Online platforms must have more due diligence obligations before they allow products to be listed and be held liable when no responsible party exists within the EU.
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Urgent, immediate action is needed at Commission, Member States and Parliament level to protect EU consumers and businesses.