The European Parliament has approved a range of measures aimed at limiting the influx of dangerous products – including chemicals – into the EU. Among the proposals is a handling fee of €2 for individual e-commerce parcels from outside the European Union.

On 9 July 2025, the European Parliament adopted a package of recommendations and legislative proposals designed to strengthen controls on products originating from outside the EU, particularly those sold online.

This initiative is part of a broader reform of the EU Customs Code and the European Commission's efforts to counter the influx of products containing hazardous substances, such as PFAS. In the case of e-commerce parcels ordered by private individuals, effective customs control is very difficult due to their volume and fragmentation. Hence, the authorities have taken action to reduce the attractiveness of purchasing products from outside the European Union.

Key Elements of the Adopted Measures

 

In response to the growing burden on European customs and market surveillance authorities, MEPs supported, among other things:

• introducing a €2 handling fee for each e-commerce parcel from outside the EU,
• eliminating the customs duty exemption for parcels valued below €150,
• encouraging non-EU companies to establish warehouses and logistics centres within the EU,
• digitalising customs procedures to streamline inspections.

 

The €2 fee is intended to increase the resources of customs services and strengthen the supervision of products entering the EU market. The European Parliament called on the Commission to assess the compatibility of the fee with WTO rules and to ensure that the cost is not directly passed on to EU consumers.

Shein and Temu Products Under Scrutiny

 

EU action is partly in response to numerous cases of non-compliant or dangerous products sold by platforms such as Shein and Temu. Both companies have become symbols of the "fast fashion" and Asian e-commerce problem, which often bypasses EU chemical and consumer standards. This is frequently reflected in the presence of chemical substances in their products that may pose risks to human health and the environment.

The European Commission is conducting an investigation into Temu for a potential breach of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the sale of products that do not comply with EU requirements.

The French Example: Additional Taxes and Advertising Ban

France is already taking steps at the national level. In June, the French Senate adopted a draft law aimed at reducing the environmental impact of fast fashion. The law includes:

• a ban on advertising products sold by companies that violate environmental standards,
• a €2–€4 fee for each small parcel from outside the EU,
• fines of up to €10 per item (or 50% of the item's price) from 2030 for companies that fail to meet requirements.

 

What Does This Mean in Practice?

 

For importers, distributors and e-commerce platforms in the chemical sector:

• The number of border inspections will increase – including checks for compliance with REACH and CLP regulations;
• Customs and handling fees will affect the cost of importing small shipments of chemicals (e.g. samples, promotional kits);
• Non-EU companies may be forced to establish logistics infrastructure within the EU to avoid restrictions and additional charges, which in turn will provide EU authorities with greater opportunities for oversight;
• Non-compliant products (lack of safety data sheet, incorrect labelling, missing PCN notification) will be subject to sanctions and removal from the market.

 

Conclusions

 

Both the EU and individual Member States are intensifying their efforts to combat illegal and dangerous imports. The chemical sector – being one of the most heavily regulated – should proactively monitor changes in customs and consumer regulations and prepare for new requirements regarding documentation, labelling and logistics.