EU Seeks to Reduce Dangerous Imports from Chinese Online Stores with New Measures.

The European Union is making efforts to reduce the purchase of dangerous products from Chinese online stores by increasing import duties, Financial Times reports. The European Commission plans to eliminate the current 150 euro import duty-free limit for e-commerce purchases made outside the EU. This measure aims to address the problem of low-cost products from Chinese online stores that do not meet EU safety standards.

Chinese online shopping platforms such as Temu and Ali Express, as well as Shein, a clothing store, are among the main targets of these new measures. In 2023, more than 3,400 cases were reported in which products found to be dangerous increased by over 50% compared to 2022. Safety concerns were particularly high in cosmetics, toys, electrical appliances and clothing.

In 2018, around 2.3 billion products entered the EU customs border from outside the Union, with China being a major supporter of online stores in transportation costs. Removing import duty-free customs in the EU may pose challenges for customs officials due to an increase in workload. However, some online stores like Temu and Ali Express have expressed their willingness to cooperate with EU legislators to maintain their presence in the European market.

In conclusion, this move by the EU will ensure that products meet safety standards and protect consumers from potential harm caused by ordering dangerous products from Chinese online stores.