EU to make e-commerce marketplaces liable for unsafe goods

by | Feb 3, 2025 | E-commerce News

The EU is drafting new customs reforms that would make e-commerce platforms like Temu, Shein, and Amazon Marketplace directly responsible for the safety and legality of the products sold on their sites.

Under the proposal reported by the Financial Times, these platforms would be required to provide customs data before goods enter the EU, shifting the importer role from the individual buyer to the retailer. The platforms would also need to collect the appropriate duties and VAT, and ensure that all products meet EU standards.

The plan includes pooling customs data from all 27 member states under one IT system and establishing a central EU Customs Authority (EUCA), which would screen shipments for risks even before goods are loaded for transport or arrive in the EU.

Why is this necessary?

The EU has seen a huge surge of imports from e-commerce companies like Temu and Shein in recent years, receiving a collective 4.6B low-value goods last year, which is double what the region imported in 2023.

91% of these low-value goods, which are defined as packages below €150, are from China, and not checked by customs authorities. Currently, only six member states are responsible for 89% of the imported goods online in Europe.

Creating one central system would take the burden off of each individual member state to properly police imports, as well as make it easier for the e-commerce platforms to collaborate with the EU and integrate with their system. 

The draft report is expected to be published on Wednesday.

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