Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Commission announced on February 5, 2025, that it would take action against “low-value” e-commerce imports sold by online retailers outside the EU and marketplaces that host non-EU traders.
According to the European Commission, these actions are characteristic of the Communication on E-Commerce, ‘A Comprehensive EU Toolbox for Safe and Sustainable E-commerce’, which the EU Commission has proposed. The EU Commission promotes actions, among others, in the domains of customs and trade, such as establishing customs controls, consumer protection and the Digital Services and Digital Markets Acts.
How will the EU regulate low-value e-commerce imports?
After approximately 4.6 billion goods with a value not surpassing €150 entered the EU market last year, the EU Commission chose to remove the duty immunities for such “low-value” imports and improve data sharing and risk review. It also determined to establish coordinated customs controls that will contain a product safety sweep, which seeks to withdraw non-compliant goods from the market.
The European Commission also stated that it launched a coordinated effort with the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network of national consumer authorities against the Chinese e-commerce website Shein.
How does the EU regulate e-commerce platforms?
During the past years, the European Commission has continuously been striving to make e-commerce in the EU environment a more secure and balanced space through the improvement of the regulatory environment.
The Commission aims to remove barriers hindering the purchasing or access of consumers and businesses across borders within the EU. New rules ensure that e-commerce platforms handle affairs fairly. This includes the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act, which seek to create a level playing field for digital services and prevent the spread of harmful content.
