The report adopted with 619 votes in favour, 26 against and 46 abstentions identifies ways to alleviate the pressure on customs and market surveillance authorities struggling to check and ensure the safety of the 12 million small e-commerce packages arriving in the EU every day.
Warehousing and removal of customs tax exemptions
So-called “warehousing might be one helpful solution to check and ensure the safety of packages, MEPs say. This would involve convincing non-EU traders to set up warehouses inside the EU to process client deliveries. Checking their bulk shipments of similar goods into these EU-based warehouses would be considerably easier than checking individual packages coming to the EU from third countries.
MEPs also support the removal of the current customs duty exemption for goods worth less than €150 in the framework of the wider Customs Code reform, as approximately 65% of parcels entering the EU are deliberately undervalued.
Handling fee for small e-commerce parcels
The report cautiously supports the Commission’s proposal to impose a €2 handling fee for individual e-commerce packages from outside the EU, as announced in its communication on e-commerce. MEPs want the Commission to verify that this amount is proportionate, compliant with WTO rules, and would not be passed on to EU consumers.
Digitalisation and better rules enforcement
The report also suggests that digitalisation and especially the use of new AI tools and block chain technology might ease the customs overload and make checks more efficient. MEPs urge EU member states to allocate more money to customs authorities for the uptake of these new tools. They call on the EU to focus on implementing existing rules and make sure platforms fulfil their obligations.
MEPs also want member states to restrict high-risk vendors from operating in their critical infrastructure and border security systems, such as for the procurement of security screening and cargo scanning equipment used at airports and ports.
Next steps
Some of the proposals adopted today will be discussed during the negotiations between Parliament and Council on a major reform of Union’s Customs Code that started yesterday on 8 July 2025.
Quote
Lead MEP Salvatore De Meo (EPP, IT), said after the vote: „“Behind every online purchase, there may be hidden risks to health, safety, and consumer rights – and too often, these risks come from non-EU operators who bypass the rules. Our businesses cannot be expected to compete on such unfair terms. That is why we are strengthening customs controls, demanding the full traceability of sellers, and tackling manipulative practices. We are sending a clear message: we want a fairer, safer, and more transparent digital market.”
Background
E-commerce provides consumers with unparalleled convenience, but comes with significant challenges. Many items that end up in the EU do not comply with EU safety norms. EU businesses suffer from unfair competition. Consumers fall victim to manipulative practices. EU taxpayers have to foot the ever-growing bill of dealing with the non-recyclable waste. Meanwhile, customs and market surveillance authorities are no longer able to keep up with having to process 12 million small e-commerce packages per day.
Discussion about this post