The German government supports the abolition of customs exemptions

The German Ministry of Finance has expressed support for the abolition of the current customs exemption enjoyed by Asian markets. AliExpress, Shein, Temu and other platforms currently benefit from tax exemption for import shipments worth up to €150.

Last year alone, according to official data, two billion parcels worth less than EUR 150 entered the EU from other countries. Many of these parcels were ordered from Asian markets, which saw significant growth in Germany and other European countries.

As revealed last week, almost one in three German consumers (32 percent) shop at Temu, while 22 percent shop at Shein. These platforms often reach Western buyers through social media, which is particularly attractive to young people.

Reorganization of import rules

The European Union is working to revamp existing import rules. The proposed abolition of customs exemption for shipments worth up to EUR 150, currently under consideration in Brussels, has the support of the strongest economy in Europe. Christian Lindner, Germany’s federal finance minister, indicated that the country would support the abolition of the exemption. According to sources such as Tagesschau, it welcomes the adaptation of customs rules to meet the challenges of online trade.

The minister indicates that customs regulations should face the challenges.

Handelsverband Deutschland (HDE), which often calls on politicians for a more stringent approach to cheap markets from China, is satisfied with the Minister’s position. The interest group also highlights the need for better inspection of incoming products by customs authorities to ensure compliance with European quality standards.

Discussion

With the rise of Shein, Temu and other platforms, Asian markets have become a recurring topic of discussion in Europe. In addition to industry representatives and politicians, consumer organizations also speak out against some practices. The platforms claim to operate fairly, emphasizing that their low prices are due to efficient supply chains. They claim that their development is not dependent on tax exemptions. Shein and Temu also deny splitting more expensive supplies to stay under the 150 euro limit.