The EU started charging a flat 3-euro fee on all orders under 150 euros from non-EU platforms like Shein and Temu on Jul...

The EU started charging a flat 3-euro fee on all orders under 150 euros from non-EU platforms like Shein and Temu on July 1, and consumers across Europe are confused about who actually foots the bill. The short answer, according to Greek tax authority AADE guidance, is that the legal obligation falls on the platforms and sellers, not the buyer. The fee is classified as a customs duty, meaning the "declarant" is the liable party, and that cannot legally be the consumer. The Greek Retail Business Association president Stavros Kafounis confirmed that responsibility sits with the seller, the same as with any tariff. Both Shein and Temu moved quickly. Temu introduced a minimum order of 10 euros for first orders and 20 euros for subsequent ones, and now shows a separate 3-euro import fee per distinct item at checkout on orders shipped from outside the EU valued at 150 euros or less. Shein's Greek app is now prominently pushing its "EU Warehouse" option, with free shipping available on orders above 19 euros, down from the previous 39-euro threshold. Market sources expect a temporary dip in orders. Kafounis said some pullback is exactly the point, adding that every euro not going to offshore platforms is money kept inside Europe and Greece. The measure is transitional and runs until June 30, 2028. The scale of what this targets is significant. In 2025, offshore companies made 4 billion deliveries to European consumers. With an average order value of 40 euros per package, estimated turnover from those shipments reached around 160 billion euros. Industry officials expect the platforms to look for workarounds, including setting up logistics centers and representatives inside Greece to import goods in bulk and distribute locally at lower cost. #Shein #Temu #EUTrade