Zalando Faces New EU Import Fee as China Trade Dominates

A new €2 per package import fee, set to take effect November 1st, is poised to reshape the operating environment for European online retailers like Zalando, as the European Union directly addresses the surge in low-cost imports, primarily from China. The fee, levied on goods arriving from countries outside the EU including China and the US, is not intended for end consumers but will be the responsibility of online platforms to remit. This development signifies a structural shift in EU trade policy aimed at curbing the influx of inexpensive goods that have flooded the market.

The EU’s move is a direct response to the dramatic increase in parcel volumes driven by cross-border e-commerce. In 2025, EU customs authorities processed approximately six billion packages from online retailers, with a staggering 90% originating in China. EU authorities justify the fee as a means to cover the rising costs associated with processing and controlling these shipments, including inspection and security checks. Beyond the fee, the EU is enacting broader customs reforms, including the establishment of a new customs authority in Lille, scheduled to begin operations next year, to streamline trade and enhance enforcement.

While the new fee is a distinct measure, its impact is compounded by a separate customs charge implemented in July, levying a flat rate of €3 per item. Although intended for sellers or importers to cover, some retailers are passing this cost onto consumers. Initial data signals a potential contraction in import volumes; France, for example, experienced a decrease of up to 40% in small package imports in the weeks following the implementation of the €3 fee. This suggests a sensitivity to price increases among consumers of goods sourced from China, and raises questions about the potential for similar declines across the EU.

The long-term implications for Zalando, and other large European e-commerce platforms, hinge on their ability to absorb or mitigate these increased costs. The EU intends the current measures as a transition toward a more comprehensive digital platform—planned for 2028—that will subject all imports, even those under €1, to customs duties. This escalating series of fees presents a clear challenge to the European e-commerce model reliant on low-cost sourcing from China, and necessitates a reevaluation of supply chain strategies and pricing structures.