EU targets unfair competition with new parcel import rules

Low-cost e-commerce parcels are flooding the European market and, according to the European Commission, are creating unfair competition. New import duties are intended to address this. Most of these parcels are transported by air, while demand for ocean freight also remains strong, continuing to push up container freight rates.The Drewry World Container Index rose by 9% this week. Rates from Shanghai to New York recorded the largest increase, rising by 11%, while rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam increased by 7%. According to Drewry, rates are expected to continue rising in the coming weeks on both the Transpacific and Asia–Europe trade lanes amid strong demand.Air freight rates also remain elevated. The Freightos Air Index is still 40% above its pre-Iran war level. This is due to higher fuel prices, but also to carriers avoiding airports in the Middle East. Although air freight rates remain elevated, they have retreated from their wartime highs. Last week, rates from China to Europe fell by 2% to $4.55/kg, while China–US rates declined by 9% to $6.60/kg.Import duties parcels EUFrom 1 July 2026, import duties must be paid in the EU on parcels valued at less than €150. Previously, such parcels were exempt from import duties. The €150 customs duty exemption was designed for an era of occasional online purchases and less digitalised customs systems, according to a European Commission press statement. This measure restores fairness across importers, ensuring that EU retailers importing in bulk, and large-scale non-EU online operators compete under the same regulatory conditions.According to the European Commission, around 5.9 billion low-value items from non-EU countries entered the EU in 2025 without being subject to customs duties. That amounts to more than 16 million parcels cleared by customs every day. While low-value consignments account for 97% of all imported items entering the EU, they represent just 2% of the total value of EU imports.The import duties apply to goods sold via e-commerce platforms. Until 1 July 2028, a €3 fee will be charged for each product category in a parcel. For example, a parcel containing three screws and two mugs would incur a total fee of €6. From 1 July 2028, e-commerce consignments valued at up to €150 will be subject to the EU Common Customs Tariff.Dutch exports figuresThis week also saw the publication of the 2025 Dutch export figures. The Dutch economy grew by 1.6% in 2025, with exports contributing 0.9 percentage points to that growth. This was reported by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Growth was driven in particular by exports of machinery, food products and agricultural products produced in the Netherlands.