Europe Cross-Border Updates: What Sellers Need to Know Now
As Europe continues tightening tax rules and customs procedures, Europe cross-border updates have become essential for global sellers. These new changes, driven by stronger enforcement and rising e-commerce volumes, directly impact businesses shipping goods from China to the EU and the UK. Therefore, staying informed about EU cross-border enforcement is now more important than ever.
EU Tightens Tax Enforcement; €150 Million of Chinese Goods Seized
Recently, several EU countries increased their oversight on low-value parcels and tax declaration fraud.
Starting 24 November 2025, Germany will completely abolish the €22 VAT exemption for inbound parcels from China. As a result, all parcels will be taxed at a uniform 23% VAT rate. Germany has reportedly lost more than USD 10 billion annually due to this exemption, so the government is moving quickly to close loopholes.
Meanwhile, Italy uncovered a major €19 million VAT fraud case, involving more than €150 million worth of Chinese goods. Investigators identified 29 shell companies that manipulated EU customs procedures to evade taxes. Consequently, regulators across Europe have increased audits and tightened document checks.
These Europe cross-border updates indicate that sellers relying on ultra-low-cost, tax-free strategies will need to adjust their pricing, improve compliance, and gradually transition toward brand-oriented operations.
Belgium Proposes €2 Duty for Low-Value Parcels
Belgium recently released another impactful update.
The government plans to introduce a €2 customs fee on all low-value parcels arriving from non-EU countries. This fee, aligned with the EU’s upcoming customs reform, will be added to the 2026 national budget.
Beginning in 2026, every parcel sent to Belgian consumers—regardless of value—will incur the €2 charge. Authorities expect this measure to contribute €9 billion to the national revenue. Furthermore, the proposal discusses adjustments to VAT brackets in preparation for broader EU reform.
This rule will directly impact parcels ordered through platforms such as AliExpress and Temu, because the fee will apply at the point of customs clearance.
UK to Remove Duty Exemption for Imports Under £135
Across the Channel, the UK is also tightening its system.
The Treasury announced that Chancellor Rachel Reeves intends to abolish the duty-free rule for goods under £135, a measure expected to generate £500 million (USD 655 million) in additional revenue each year.
Although the rule will be detailed in the 26 November budget, the government will also open a public consultation on the new tariff structure.
Under current rules, large retailers already pay duties on bulk imports, but UK consumers buying small parcels from overseas sellers—many from China—were exempt. This exemption may soon disappear under updated EU cross-border enforcement trends now mirrored by the UK.
European E-Commerce Growth Rebounds to 7%
Despite regulatory tightening, Europe’s e-commerce market continues expanding.
The region grew 7% year-on-year, reaching €819 billion. Analysts forecast 4% real growth for 2024–2025, significantly stronger than the 1% growth recorded in 2023.
Breakdown by region:
Eastern Europe: +10% (fastest growth)
Central & Southern Europe: +7%–8%
Western Europe: +3% (largest market, but slowest growth)
Although 73% of Europeans aged 16–74 shop online, penetration remains lower in:
Eastern Europe: 57%
Southern Europe: 61%
Spain’s Black Friday Spending Surges to €379 Average
Spain continues emerging as a major consumer market.
During Black Friday, 67% of the population participated, spending an average of €379, which accounts for one-third of the country’s Christmas shopping budget. This figure represents a 12% year-on-year increase.
Spain now ranks fifth globally in Black Friday spending, contributing 6.3% of worldwide volume. Promotions focus heavily on fashion, electronics, and travel. However, intense competition has led 33% of small Catalonian businesses to opt out voluntarily.
Although consumption is expected to grow 2%–3% yearly, Spain’s Consumer Affairs Ministry is enforcing stricter regulations, with penalties for fake discounts reaching €100,000.
Temu Strengthens EU Logistics; Fulfillment Rate to Reach 80%
Temu is also expanding rapidly across Europe.
The platform recently signed MOUs with Italy Post and Austria Post, significantly boosting sorting capacity and supporting a local-to-local fulfillment model. This approach reduces costs for sellers and speeds up delivery for customers.
With these partnerships, Temu expects its intra-European fulfillment rate to reach 80%. Additionally, the platform now welcomes local sellers in Germany, France, Italy, and other European markets, further enhancing supply chain efficiency.
Temu Updates EU & UK Labeling Rules
Temu has implemented stricter compliance requirements for sellers.
Beginning December, all goods sold to the EU and UK must display importer details on product labels:
EU importer: Whaleco Technology Limited
UK importer: Whaloco UK Limited
Furthermore, starting 19 December, Temu will block inbound warehouse shipments that fail to include this information. The platform has also intensified enforcement by issuing large-scale Level 3 penalties, including full-store link removal and restrictions on new product uploads.
These new measures reflect the broader trend of Europe cross-border updates and tightening EU cross-border enforcement.
eBay Germany Launches Live Shopping
eBay has officially rolled out eBay Live in Germany.
The first livestream will begin 29 November 2025 at Stuttgart Comic Con. The service has already demonstrated strong performance in the U.S., achieving fivefold growth within one year.
German shoppers will be able to participate in livestream auctions and direct purchases, starting with categories such as:
Apparel
Accessories
Collectibles
The platform plans to expand additional categories in 2026 and has released a detailed FAQ for sellers and buyers.
Conclusion
With these new Europe cross-border updates, sellers shipping from China to the EU or UK must prepare for:
✔ Higher taxes and customs fees
✔ Stricter labeling and importer-of-record rules
✔ Stronger EU cross-border enforcement
✔ Increasing logistics and compliance costs
✔ A fast-growing but tightly regulated e-commerce landscape
By staying compliant and adapting early, cross-border sellers can protect their margins while continuing to grow in Europe’s rapidly evolving e-commerce market.
If you have any question Feel free to contact us！
Follow us on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567280547251
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gb_intlfreightagency/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gb-intl-freight-agency-co-ltd/?viewAsMember=true
