Dutch cabinet wants to charge import duties on all parcels from outside EU

The Dutch government has revealed plans to introduce import duties on all packages coming to the Netherlands from outside the EU. The measure will have the biggest impact on Chinese webshops, such as Temu, Shein and AliExpress.

Removing exemption for cheaper parcels entering the Netherlands

Currently, when packages with a value of less than 150 euros are brought into the Netherlands, there are no import duties. The Ministry of Finance has said that they want to change this so that all parcels qualify for the tax, which could amount to up to 17 percent.

It appears that this measure is mostly focused on Chinese web shops that import millions of cheaper parcels and profit from not having to pay import duties. Based on figures from Thuiswinkel.org, webshops in China are very popular in the Netherlands, with 2023 seeing close to 9 million orders across sites like Shein, Temu and AliExpress.

According to a spokesperson for the ministry, the new plans could create “a more level playing field for traditional trade”.  

Challenges for possible import duties

Jesse Weltevreden, a lecturer in online entrepreneurship at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, told NOS that various measures have already been put in motion to regulate large webshops from outside the EU. “For example, Temu has already been designated as a Very Large Online Platform by the European Commission,” said Weltevreden. “This means that they must comply with certain regulations as of September.”

However, John Lin, an expert in Chinese e-commerce, is undecided on whether the introduction of import duties will have that much of an impact on international companies that are able to offer such cheap prices via the internet. "That cable that is now online for 2 euros will soon cost 2,40 euros. But in a Dutch web shop, the same product costs 10 to 15 euros,” said Lin. 

Another problem, according to Weltevreden, is that with the large amount of lower-value items that are imported, the government would have to “increase the enforcement capacity.” Lin agreed saying, “Customs aren't known for their most innovative IT systems, so this is pretty much a losing battle.”