- Proposed Import Taxes on Low-Cost Shipments: The European Commission plans to impose import taxes on packages valued under €150 entering the EU, which are currently exempt from such levies. This move aims to address the growing volume of low-cost shipments, which amounted to approximately 4.6 billion packages last year, averaging 12 million parcels per day.
- Concerns Over Compliance and Sustainability: Many of these low-cost products do not meet European regulations, raising alarms about consumer safety, unfair competition, and environmental sustainability. The use of low-quality materials often results in products that are difficult to recycle, complicating the efforts of second-hand clothing collectors who struggle to accept items from these sources.
- Request for Funding to Support Border Controls: The European Commission is urging EU member states and the European Parliament to approve funding for additional border control measures necessary to manage these packages. The proposed costs for these controls would likely be passed on to retailers and online platforms, increasing the overall expense of sourcing cheap products from Chinese webshops.
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