International e-commerce and customs control: a growing challenge for the European Union
E-commerce has completely changed the way companies and individuals shop. Today, any European consumer can purchase a product in a few seconds and receive it directly from a country outside the European Union. However, behind this convenience lies a major logistical, customs and security challenge.
According to information published by the European Union’s Directorate General for Taxation and Customs Union (TAXUD), the majority of products from international e-commerce do not meet the safety and compliance standards required in the EU.
– Customs: the European market’s first line of defense
Customs authorities play an essential role at Europe’s borders. They are responsible for managing and controlling the huge volume of goods arriving every day from third countries, with three key objectives:
– Ensure that only safe products reach the final consumer
– Ensure compliance with European regulations
– Protect fair competition in the Single Market
This work is carried out in coordination with national market surveillance authorities, which verify the conformity of products once they have entered the EU.
– Unprecedented shipment volume
The figures reflect the magnitude of the challenge:
– Since 2022, the number of small parcels has doubled every year
– In 2024, 4.6 billion shipments were imported
– In 2025, small shipments accounted for 97 % of the total
– About 180 direct shipments enter the EU every second
This accelerated growth has outstripped the capacity of traditional customs control methods.
– Worrying results in controls
A recent large-scale customs control operation in the EU, carried out within the framework of the Priority Control Areas (PCA), yielded alarming data:
– More than 20,000 toys and small electronic deviceswere inspected
– More than 50% did not comply with European regulations
– After laboratory analysis, 84% of the products tested were considered hazardous.
These results confirm a worrying reality: many products purchased online from third countries do not offer minimum security guarantees.
European customs are rejecting an increasing number of products each year for non-compliance or serious risk. In 2024, an average of 13 items were refused entry for every million products cleared.
Even so, the growth rate of e-commerce continues to outstrip the current control capacity, making structural changes necessary.
– EU Customs Reform: A Key Change
To respond to this challenge, the EU has launched a far-reaching reform of the customs system that includes:
– The elimination of duty exemption for shipments under €150
– The introduction of a single customs duty of €3 per item, applicable as of July 1, 2026
– The consideration of online platforms and sellers as official importers
This change represents a major shift of responsibility from the consumer and carriers to those who market the products.
– A new scenario for the logistics sector
For logistics operators and international trading companies, this transformation implies:
– Increased relevance of regulatory compliance
– More added value in professional customs management
– Opportunities to differentiate against low control models
– Increased security and confidence for the end consumer
At Vicasso International we are committed to international e-commerce based on solid and transparent customs processes, aligned with European regulations, guaranteeing market security and the efficiency of the logistics chain, and offering our clients updated and specialized advice.