THE European Union (EU) is working on a proposal to impose import duties on cheap goods bought from online platforms outside the bloc, reports London's Financial Times.
This would mostly target Chinese retailers such as Temu, AliExpress and Shein. The eu currently has a EUR150 (US$161) duty-free threshold for online purchases that is meant for small gifts or personal packages.
But that has enabled a surge in small-value imports from e-commerce platforms. The new proposal would aim to stem this flow and would apply to all non-EU e-commerce platforms.
While it remains to be seen if there is consensus across member states to take action, the effort adds to the growing momentum of protectionism against Chinese companies as its cheaper goods threaten local producers. This month, the EU will introduce provisional tariffs of as high as 38 per cent on Chinese electric vehicles.
SeaNews Turkey
This would mostly target Chinese retailers such as Temu, AliExpress and Shein. The eu currently has a EUR150 (US$161) duty-free threshold for online purchases that is meant for small gifts or personal packages.
But that has enabled a surge in small-value imports from e-commerce platforms. The new proposal would aim to stem this flow and would apply to all non-EU e-commerce platforms.
While it remains to be seen if there is consensus across member states to take action, the effort adds to the growing momentum of protectionism against Chinese companies as its cheaper goods threaten local producers. This month, the EU will introduce provisional tariffs of as high as 38 per cent on Chinese electric vehicles.
SeaNews Turkey
