The end of cheap parcels from China? The EU is preparing a powerful attack on e-commerce giants

MEPs, who visited Beijing for the first time in eight years, called on the Chinese authorities to stop the inflow of dangerous goods to the EU and to improve access to the local market for European companies, Reuters reported.

EU lawmakers raised concerns about the “large influx of unsafe and non-compliant products from China” during a meeting with representatives of China's market regulator. The talks also concerned fair competition and responsibility of online trading platforms.

The issue affects low-value shipments sent by e-commerce giants such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress. The European Union is reforming customs rules to abolish duty exemptions for parcels valued below EUR 150. According to official estimates, in 2025, 5.8 billion such parcels reached the Community, of which over 90 percent from China. Negotiations are planned with the management of these platforms.

The nine-member delegation that arrived in the PRC on Tuesday is led by Anna Cavazzini, head of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO).

The three-day mission was a step towards stabilizing relations. Organizing this visit became possible after last year's decision of the authorities in Beijing to lift the sanctions imposed in 2021 on EU politicians in retaliation for accusations of human rights violations in the Xinjiang region.

From Beijing Krzysztof Pawliszak (PAP)

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