The strong growth of low-value parcels from China led to the decision to activate barriers in the UE, as occurred in the US.
The number of low-value parcels purchased electronically on online platforms and delivered by post has grown very sharply globally, although these orders still represent a very small share of total trade value. In 2024, 4.6 billion low-value parcels are estimated to have entered the European Union (EU), equivalent to 12 million parcels per day.
Imports of this type of parcel have gained weight within total goods imports from China. In Portugal and the EU, they accounted for less than 1% before 2020 and reached 5% in 2025. Between 2022 and 2025, imports of low-value parcels from China recorded cumulative growth of 188% in the EU and 227% in Portugal. In the US, growth was 48% over that period, with a notable reduction of 33% between 2024 and 2025.
In the EU, starting on July 1 of this year, the current customs duty exemption for parcels valued under 150 euros will be eliminated, and a flat duty of 3 euros per customs declaration line will be applied. This rule is expected to apply until 2028, when a new customs control model will be introduced.
For further details, see box “The dynamics of low-value parcel imports in Portugal” in the June 2026 Economic Bulletin of the Banco de Portugal (in Portuguese only).
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