Exponential growth in e-commerce
In recent years, the amount of small-item shipments to the EU ordered via online platforms is growing fast. A communication by the European Commission on e-commerce says that a total of 4.6 billion low-value items (items under €150) were imported into the EU in 2024. This equals to 12 million parcels per day. The number of low-value shipments was 2.3 billion in 2023 and 1.4 billion in 2022.
This exponential growth is linked to the rise of Chinese online retailers such as Temu and Shein. The Commission communication notes that 91% of all e-commerce shipments valued under €150 came from China in 2024.
Europeans are also getting increasingly comfortable in making online purchases. Eurostat data shows that 77% of EU internet users bought online in 2024, an increase from 59% in 2014. The share of online buyers was the highest among the age group 25-34 years with 89%, but even among 65-74 year-olds, 53% made online orders.
Currently, imports of goods valued under €150 are exempt from customs duties. The European Commission proposed a customs reform in May 2023, which would remove this exemption.
