The European Union is planning to crack down on foreign goods shipped by e-commerce marketplaces like Shein, Temu, and even Amazon, according to a draft proposal reviewed by the Financial Times.
New customs guidelines would require these companies to provide information on products — even those sold by third parties — to EU officials prior to their receipt, so that agents can track and inspect packages more efficiently. In an even more significant shift, they would also place the liability of products deemed dangerous or illegal on the shopping platforms themselves, rather than importers, and load additional onus on marketplaces to ensure their products comply with EU rules.
Currently, any EU resident purchasing foreign goods online is considered an “importer” in the eyes of customs enforcement.
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In 2024, more than 90 percent of “lower-value” goods making their way into the EU were imported from China through online marketplaces, the Financial Timesreported. Under the new rules, the …