{"id":2144866,"date":"2026-09-14T15:00:27","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T12:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2144866"},"modified":"2026-09-14T15:00:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T12:00:27","slug":"eu-halves-cheap-parcel-influx-in-bid-to-rein-in-chinese-e-commerce-giants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2144866","title":{"rendered":"EU halves cheap parcel influx in bid to rein in Chinese e-commerce giants"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/06\/91\/1200x675_cmsv2_54c21f66-7d85-54b1-8572-0a7e92ac0412-9910691.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2925730-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2925730\" data-cid=\"9913486\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925730-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/34\/86\/189x106_cmsv2_0bc64f3b-3ca6-55bb-a18a-cf84054391cb-9913486.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Members of U.S. Space Force perform on the track before the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    USA<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    United States Space Force says US has weapons in orbit\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925690-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2925690\" data-cid=\"9913409\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925690-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/34\/09\/189x106_cmsv2_f0897016-9ca2-5900-8cfa-e708de067f99-9913409.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"French President Emmanuel Macron and Finnish President Alexander Stubb\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Finland joins France&#8217;s forward nuclear deterrence initiative\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925488-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2925488\" data-cid=\"9912283\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925488-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/22\/83\/189x106_cmsv2_98e73218-b8a1-5356-a928-88af7bebc1f6-9912283.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: Hugo Carvajal attends a meeting at the administrative offices of the National Assembly in Caracas on 20 January 2016.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Former Moroccan spy reportedly offered Spain intelligence information\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925669-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2925669\" data-cid=\"9913241\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925669-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/32\/41\/189x106_cmsv2_f98bec57-de7d-52b3-b620-5f227aeb779b-9913241.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"France and Slovakia demand the removal of Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    France seeks Usmanov delisting to free French nationals in Azerbaijan\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925730-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2925730\" data-cid=\"9913486\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925730-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/34\/86\/189x106_cmsv2_0bc64f3b-3ca6-55bb-a18a-cf84054391cb-9913486.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Members of U.S. Space Force perform on the track before the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    USA<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    United States Space Force says US has weapons in orbit\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925690-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2925690\" data-cid=\"9913409\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925690-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/34\/09\/189x106_cmsv2_f0897016-9ca2-5900-8cfa-e708de067f99-9913409.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"French President Emmanuel Macron and Finnish President Alexander Stubb\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Finland joins France&#8217;s forward nuclear deterrence initiative\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925488-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2925488\" data-cid=\"9912283\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925488-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/22\/83\/189x106_cmsv2_98e73218-b8a1-5356-a928-88af7bebc1f6-9912283.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: Hugo Carvajal attends a meeting at the administrative offices of the National Assembly in Caracas on 20 January 2016.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Former Moroccan spy reportedly offered Spain intelligence information\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925669-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2925669\" data-cid=\"9913241\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925669-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/32\/41\/189x106_cmsv2_f98bec57-de7d-52b3-b620-5f227aeb779b-9913241.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"France and Slovakia demand the removal of Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    France seeks Usmanov delisting to free French nationals in Azerbaijan\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            EU halves cheap parcel influx in bid to rein in Chinese e-commerce giants<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"js-playercontrols u-height-full u-position-absolute u-width-full is-autoplaying\" data-translations=\"{&quot;error&quot;:&quot;This video could not be played.&quot;,&quot;geoblocked&quot;:&quot;Sorry, this content is not available in your country&quot;,&quot;slow&quot;:&quot;This is taking longer than usual&quot;}\">\n<div class=\"js-loadtrigger js-loadtrigger__button c-loadtrigger__button\" role=\"status\"><span class=\"js-loadtrigger__label c-loadtrigger__label u-visually-hidden\">Loading the video<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/06\/91\/1536x864_cmsv2_54c21f66-7d85-54b1-8572-0a7e92ac0412-9910691.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"A worker sorts parcels for e-commerce platform JD.com at a distribution centre in Beijing.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              A worker sorts parcels for e-commerce platform JD.com at a distribution centre in Beijing.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo\/Andy Wong<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\/Andy Wong\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspEleonora Vasques\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1789386036\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-09-14 13:40:36 +02:00\">14\/09\/2026 &#8211; 13:40 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"17:00\">17:00<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-share-comment-popup\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup js-c-article-share-comment-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"Close Button\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-close\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div 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alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed_container u-display-none\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed__tooltip\"><br \/>\n                            Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-share-comment-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        The EU has cut the number of low-value parcels entering the region by half, following the introduction of a \u20ac3 flat fee. The measure is part of a broader effort to curb the growing dominance of Chinese e-commerce platforms.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>The number of small parcels valued below \u20ac150 arriving in Europe has fallen by nearly 50% since 1 July following the EU\u2019s introduction of a \u20ac3 flat tax on such shipments, according to data from Dutch and Belgian customs.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In Belgium, the number of small parcels have decreased by 53% compared to the previous year, according to data from the Belgian authorities. Dutch customs present similar data, finding that e-commerce parcels, particularly from China, decreased by 46%. Together, the two countries make up almost 50% of the total low value parcels arriving from outside the EU.<\/p>\n<p>However, the Dutch customs said that the decrease might represent a change in the working methods due to the levy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;More and more companies appear to be opting for bulk import and storage within the EU to resell their goods to consumers from there,&#8221; they said in a press statement in early September, specifying that they will investigate the matter further.<\/p>\n<p>The temporary levy was introduced after policymakers noted the overwhelming dominance of Chinese e-commerce in Europe, which has led to an influx of billions of low-value parcels into the single market.<\/p>\n<p>According to European Commission data, some \u20ac4.6 billion low-value items under \u20ac150 were imported to the EU in 2024, representing an average of 12 million parcels per day. That was a major increase from the \u20ac2.3 billion that entered in 2023 and \u20ac1.4 billion in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>The sheer volume of packages and the fragmentation of the current European customs structure make it harder for the EU to have an adequate monitoring system.<\/p>\n<p>Checks would prevent the entrance of illegal products, which already represents a major problem in Europe. A 2025 peer-reviewed laboratory study published in Contact Dermatitis analysed 111 clothing items across Italy and the EU, and found that 63% contained carcinogenic, endocrine-disrupting, or sensitising chemicals.<\/p>\n<p>Similar findings have been released by Greenpeace and the European Consumer Organisation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\" id=\"abe-article-related-1\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Fast fashion: 69% of our clothes contain toxic chemicals <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;The temporary \u20ac3 import duty that has been in force since July 1 has already significantly reduced the flow of parcels, but we are not there yet,&#8221; Dutch MEP Dirk Gotink, responsible for the custom reform on behalf of the European Parliament, told Euronews. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;With the new law, the EU and national customs authorities will finally receive the tools to effectively protect businesses and consumers. European customs work will also be modernised, with a single central data hub, a European Customs Authority in Lille, more risk-based checks, and closer cooperation between authorities,&#8221; the MEP said.<\/p>\n<p>Gotink was referring to the overall custom reform the EU is about to implement, which aims at facilitating the tracking of items arriving from outside the EU.<\/p>\n<p>As part of the reform, the EU will set up a data hub in the French city of Lille, where custom data are expected to be gathered and analysed. The new tax authority is expected to be operational by 2028.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Chinese imports plunge 30% to 40% after EU tax on small parcels<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Lille clinches bid to host EU Customs Authority<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  EU steps up crackdown on cheap Chinese parcels flooding European market<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  trade<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  China<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2925526-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925526\" data-cid=\"9912421\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925526-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/24\/21\/320x180_cmsv2_81008a16-dc2c-5da0-8b8e-e9e3b4ea8d65-9912421.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ursula von der Leyen during last year&apos;s State of the EU speech.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    State of the Union: Did von der Leyen make good on her promises?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2925669-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925669\" data-cid=\"9913241\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925669-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/32\/41\/320x180_cmsv2_f98bec57-de7d-52b3-b620-5f227aeb779b-9913241.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"France and Slovakia demand the removal of Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    France seeks Usmanov delisting to free French nationals in Azerbaijan<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2925522-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925522\" data-cid=\"9912393\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925522-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/23\/93\/320x180_cmsv2_3caadcc0-26e4-57d2-874f-c182b4bb19f0-9912393.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A truck passes near electricity posts as a power plant is seen in the background, outside the northern city of Kozani on Thursday, June 2, 2022.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    MEPs push tighter energy permit deadlines, setting up EU clash<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2925659-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925659\" data-cid=\"9913147\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925659-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/31\/47\/320x180_cmsv2_8dbfcaad-98b5-5018-85d1-cf660b733308-9913147.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukraine\u2019s Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ukraine\u2019s prosecutor general suspended after leaving country<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2925508-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925508\" data-cid=\"9912354\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925508-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/23\/54\/320x180_cmsv2_048dcdb1-50b9-569f-b796-4a0155d9582e-9912354.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A train damaged in a Russian drone attack at Yahodyn railway station near Ukraine&apos;s border with Poland on Sunday.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Poland and Ukraine condemn Russian strikes near their border<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2924086-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924086\" data-cid=\"9905857\" 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src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925526-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925526\" data-cid=\"9912421\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925526-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/24\/21\/320x180_cmsv2_81008a16-dc2c-5da0-8b8e-e9e3b4ea8d65-9912421.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ursula von der Leyen during last year&apos;s State of the EU speech.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    State of the Union: Did von der Leyen make 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m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925522\" data-cid=\"9912393\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925522-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/23\/93\/320x180_cmsv2_3caadcc0-26e4-57d2-874f-c182b4bb19f0-9912393.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A truck passes near electricity posts as a power plant is seen in the background, outside the northern city of Kozani on Thursday, June 2, 2022.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    MEPs push tighter energy permit deadlines, setting up EU clash<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925659-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" 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class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/23\/54\/320x180_cmsv2_048dcdb1-50b9-569f-b796-4a0155d9582e-9912354.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A train damaged in a Russian drone attack at Yahodyn railway station near Ukraine&apos;s border with Poland on Sunday.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Poland and Ukraine condemn Russian strikes near their border<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924086-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924086\" data-cid=\"9905857\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Retired wind turbines are turning into tiny homes and alpine skis<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2924891-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2924891\" data-cid=\"9909903\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ceuta crisis drives EU towards tougher migration stance<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925373-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925373\" data-cid=\"9911858\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Canada eyes \u2018associate member\u2019 status with EU amid US tensions<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925533-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925533\" data-cid=\"9912478\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Amateur goalie says no to throne, kicking off succession row in Uganda<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925317-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925317\" data-cid=\"9911645\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    UAE and Iran discuss easing tensions at BRICS summit<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">The number of small parcels valued below \u20ac150 arriving in Europe has fallen by nearly 50% since 1 July following the EU\u2019s introduction of a \u20ac3 flat tax on such shipments, according to data from Dutch and Belgian customs.In Belgium, the number of small parcels have decreased by 53% compared to the previous year, according to data from the Belgian authorities. Dutch customs present similar data, finding that e-commerce parcels, particularly from China, decreased by 46%. Together, the two countries make up almost 50% of the total low value parcels arriving from outside the EU.However, the Dutch customs said that the decrease might represent a change in the working methods due to the levy.&#8221;More and more companies appear to be opting for bulk import and storage within the EU to resell their goods to consumers from there,&#8221; they said in a press statement in early September, specifying that they will investigate the matter further.The temporary levy was introduced after policymakers noted the overwhelming dominance of Chinese e-commerce in Europe, which has led to an influx of billions of low-value parcels into the single market.According to European Commission data, some \u20ac4.6 billion low-value items under \u20ac150 were imported to the EU in 2024, representing an average of 12 million parcels per day. That was a major increase from the \u20ac2.3 billion that entered in 2023 and \u20ac1.4 billion in 2022.The sheer volume of packages and the fragmentation of the current European customs structure make it harder for the EU to have an adequate monitoring system.Checks would prevent the entrance of illegal products, which already represents a major problem in Europe. A 2025 peer-reviewed laboratory study published in Contact Dermatitis analysed 111 clothing items across Italy and the EU, and found that 63% contained carcinogenic, endocrine-disrupting, or sensitising chemicals.Similar findings have been released by Greenpeace and the European Consumer Organisation.&#8221;The temporary \u20ac3 import duty that has been in force since July 1 has already significantly reduced the flow of parcels, but we are not there yet,&#8221; Dutch MEP Dirk Gotink, responsible for the custom reform on behalf of the European Parliament, told Euronews.&#8221;With the new law, the EU and national customs authorities will finally receive the tools to effectively protect businesses and consumers. European customs work will also be modernised, with a single central data hub, a European Customs Authority in Lille, more risk-based checks, and closer cooperation between authorities,&#8221; the MEP said.Gotink was referring to the overall custom reform the EU is about to implement, which aims at facilitating the tracking of items arriving from outside the EU.As part of the reform, the EU will set up a data hub in the French city of Lille, where custom data are expected to be gathered and analysed. The new tax authority is expected to be operational by 2028.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/09\/14\/eu-halves-cheap-parcel-influx-in-bid-to-rein-in-chinese-e-commerce-giants&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/06\/91\/1200x675_cmsv2_54c21f66-7d85-54b1-8572-0a7e92ac0412-9910691.jpg&#8221;] USA United States Space Force says US has weapons in orbit Europe Today Finland joins France&#8217;s forward nuclear deterrence initiative Europe News Former Moroccan spy reportedly offered Spain intelligence information Europe News France seeks Usmanov delisting to free French nationals in Azerbaijan USA United States Space Force says US has weapons in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2144866","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2144866","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2144866"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2144866\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2144866"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2144866"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2144866"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}