EU to impose €3 levy on parcels from outside EU

The European Union will impose higher fees on small packages starting next year in an attempt to curb the influx of parcels coming mostly from China. Picture: Lam Yik/Bloomberg

The European Union will impose higher fees on small packages starting next year in an attempt to curb the influx of parcels coming mostly from China.

EU finance ministers agreed on Friday to impose a temporary €3 levy per parcel starting in July, before applying permanent custom duties two years later. The move comes amid a boom in packages from Chinese retailers like Shein and Temu, which has rattled European businesses.