EU Parliament questions: Abolition of customs duty exemption for cheap imports from China

Question for written answer E-001521/2024 to the Commission from Engin Eroglu (Renew).

Currently, goods valued at below EUR 150 are duty-free, which enables low-cost suppliers, such as Temu and Shein, to sell their goods en masse in the EU. The German market alone is being inundated with up to 400 000 products every day that pose a risk to the environment and, in some cases, to our health. Products are often shipped individually to avoid export duties. This suspected tax fraud is costing the EU billions of euros in lost revenue.

1. How does the Commission plan to ensure that customs privileges are not being abused for commercial exports?
2. How will the Commission ensure that the same security, data protection and sustainability standards are applied to Chinese low-cost suppliers, such as Temu and Shein, as to other suppliers within the EU?
3. How will the common market prevent these low-cost suppliers from using unfair practices, such as arbitrary discount levels or manipulative advertising, in the future?[2]

Submitted: 19.8.2024

Source: European Parliament

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