The Belgian authorities is contemplating introducing a levy on parcels imported from outdoors the European Union. The two euro charge per parcel would have an effect on Chinese language on-line retailers akin to AliExpress, Shein and Temu. The federal government intends to make use of the income to assist cut back the nationwide funds deficit.
The proposal for the brand new parcel tax comes from the governing occasion Les Engagés. The measure would apply to parcels value as much as 150 euros and will already take impact subsequent yr. It’s anticipated to generate a number of hundred million euros in income, as Belgian customs anticipates receiving round 1.4 billion imported parcels this yr.
Reservations
Becom, a commerce affiliation for Belgian ecommerce, responded considerably positively. The federation referred to as it “a primary step in direction of a fairer enjoying subject for Belgian retailers”, pointing to the massive proportion of unsafe merchandise coming into Europe from China.
‘A primary step in direction of a fairer enjoying subject’
Nevertheless, Becom considers this a European subject and advocates for a coordinated EU-wide method. If different international locations don’t introduce related levies, the measure dangers dropping its supposed impact and even lowering income, mentioned managing director Greet Dekocker. “The pace with which Belgium is tackling that is admirable, however extra must be performed.”
The federation argues that a part of the income needs to be reinvested in infrastructure, akin to scanning expertise, digitally educated workers, and an information pool to raised detect offenders.
European initiative
Belgium’s plan is forward of the same initiative in Brussels. The European Fee additionally needs to introduce a set 2 euro charge on parcels from outdoors the EU, to be paid by the platforms. For shipments to a European warehouse, a 0.50 euro charge would apply. In contrast to the Belgian proposal, the EU dealing with charges would primarily be reinvested in imposing present laws. The funds would permit member states to conduct extra inspections to fight unsafe merchandise and counterfeits.
Brussels can be engaged on a 2 euro parcel tax
Based on consultants, the charge is simply too low to curb the recognition of Chinese language platforms specifically. The EU measure nonetheless wants approval from the European Parliament and member states and will take impact in March 2028. At the moment, the exemption from import duties – which at present advantages worldwide platforms – would even be abolished; for now, firms outdoors the EU should not required to pay these duties for shipments valued as much as 150 euro.
