Customs measures put major online stores under scrutiny
Life
The European Union is preparing to implement reforms that will shift responsibility for dangerous or illegal products sold online to e-commerce platforms such as Temu, Shein and Amazon Marketplace. The change, as reported by the Financial Times, stems from a draft proposal for new customs rules.
Under the proposed reforms, online platforms would have to provide detailed information about goods before they reach EU borders. This pre-arrival data would allow EU officials to examine packages more effectively and identify potential risks. Currently, individuals buying goods online in the EU are considered importers for customs purposes. However, these new rules would make platforms responsible for complying with EU requirements, including collecting import duties and VAT.
To streamline this process, customs data from all 27 member states will be consolidated into a central database managed by a newly created European Customs Authority (EUCA). The EUCA will use this pooled information to proactively screen goods, allowing risks to be spotted even before shipment or arrival in the EU.
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