Pressure remains on China-EU e-commerce volumes as new charge looms

China’s e-commerce volumes continued to decline in September, while the European Union is set to add another charge for low-cost packages being imported into the bloc in November to pile on the pressure.

Figures from consultant Aevean show that low-value e-commerce tonnes flown from China to the EU were down by 50% year on year in September.

This has led to an overall decline in low-value Chinese e-commerce air exports of 4% year on year over the first nine months of the year, while in September the decline reached 19% compared with a year ago.

While volume declines to Europe led the way in September, there was also a 5% fall from China to the rest of the Asia Pacific region, 4% to North America and 13% to the Middle East and South Asia.

Aevean managing director Marco Bloemen said that the 50% drop-off to Europe reflected the EU’s decision to add a €3 duty per product type for each parcel with a value of less than €150 being imported into the bloc in July.

Bloemen pointed out that a second €2 handling charge is set to be added on 1 November.

Dutch advisory firm Holdwise said the €2 charge will also be by product type.

As an example of how the extra charge will push up the cost of e-commerce goods, Holdwise calculated the cost of bringing in a China-made T-shirt and watch directly from China compared with stock held in the Netherlands.

Its calculations show that a package containing a watch and T-shirt would cost around €9.50 more to process directly from China.

“As a parcel from outside the EU, [it is] €19.50 per order. That is €6 duty, €4 handling fee, €7 for postage and customs clearance, and €2.50 for storage and packing,” the company explained.

“From stock in the Netherlands, [it is] €10.00 per order. That is €2 in normal duty, €0.50 for seafreight and clearance, €2.50 for storage and packing, and €5 for delivery in the EU.”

Holdwise added that in September and August, Dutch Customs reported about 70% fewer e-commerce declaration lines compared with the same months a year earlier.