The European Commission has just unveiled a comprehensive strategy to tackle the challenges of e-commerce imports in the EU. As online shopping continues to surge – 4.6 billion low-value consignments imported in 2024 alone! – ensuring consumer safety, fair competition, and sustainability has become a top priority.
🔹 What’s the Problem?
E-commerce has transformed global trade, but it’s also created loopholes:
- Unsafe & non-compliant products are posing risks to health & safety
- Increased environmental impact from fast fashion & disposable goods
- Unfair competition—EU businesses struggle against non-compliant sellers
- Revenue losses—low-value imports (under €150) often evade duties
🔹 The EU’s Response: A Tougher, Smarter Approach
The Commission is pushing for tighter enforcement, smarter customs, and new sustainability rules:
✅ Stronger Customs Controls – Reforming the Customs Union to remove duty relief for low-value shipments
✅ Market Surveillance Boost – Cracking down on unsafe, counterfeit, and environmentally harmful products
✅ Holding Online Marketplaces Accountable – Platforms like Temu, Shein & AliExpress must enforce compliance
✅ Eco-Responsibility – Extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes & bans on unsold product destruction
✅ Digital Oversight – AI-powered product tracking & Digital Product Passports for transparency
🔹 Why This Matters for Businesses
- Compliant businesses gain a competitive edge – The EU is levelling the playing field
- Sustainability isn’t optional – New circular economy rules will shape e-commerce logistics
- Transparency is key – Marketplaces & sellers must improve supply chain visibility
🔹 What’s Next?
The EU will assess the impact within a year, potentially expanding regulatory oversight if non-compliance persists. Businesses operating in this space should be proactively adapting to these changes—waiting could be costly.
Read the full document here.
👉 Our Law Firm’s Take
At Dalir Law Firm, we specialise in compliance & regulatory strategies for the payments and digital commerce sectors. If your business is navigating these new EU requirements, let’s talk about how you can stay ahead, remain compliant, and leverage opportunities in the evolving e-commerce landscape.
💬 What are your thoughts on these new regulations? Will they help or hinder the future of digital commerce in Europe? Let’s discuss it! Contact us at lawfirm@dalir.co.uk