Italy’s Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti announced on Thursday that Italy plans to adjust the tax on small packages sent from non-EU countries to align with the higher EU tax rates set to take effect in July. This move is widely seen as the latest joint action by European countries to combat the infiltration of Chinese cheap e-commerce platforms.
Giorgetti revealed to reporters in Rome during an event that “we will strive to align our tax revenues with decisions at the European level.”
According to Reuters, both Italy and the EU currently target imports from non-EU countries through their tax policies, focusing on Chinese online platforms such as Shein and Temu under Pinduoduo.
According to EU customs statistics, around 46 million small packages under 150 euros entered Europe in 2024, with 91% originating from China. Italian officials state that this “non-EU invasion” is damaging local retail trade.
Italy’s small package tax rate is set to undergo a two-step adjustment as per current plans.
The Italian 2026 budget, implemented as of January 1st, imposes an administrative fee of 2 euros for so-called “small packages” under 150 euros (approximately $175).
Meanwhile, EU authorities have set a tariff of 3 euros for each low-value small package. Giorgetti’s statement on Thursday implies that Italy’s current 2 euro tax rate will be raised to align with the EU.
Italy’s ruling coalition member Forza Italia has requested the government to freeze local taxation plans until July, to be implemented after the EU unified tax rate comes into effect, citing concerns about logistics competitiveness. Giorgetti stated, “We will evaluate this request.”
In addition to Italy, other major European countries are also tightening regulations. France has already voted to levy a 2 euro tax on each package.
According to Agence France-Presse, the French National Assembly has further passed a bill to impose an environmental tax on “fast fashion” products, with the environmental surcharge on each item expected to reach up to 10 euros by 2030.
The EU plans to fully abolish the tariff exemption for small imported packages under 150 euros, known as “De Minimis,” starting from July 1st, and impose a 3 euro tariff uniformly.
The United States officially suspended the “De Minimis” treatment for goods originating from China and Hong Kong on May 2nd last year. This means that regardless of the package value being below $800, packages sent directly from China to US consumers now require payment of import duties. This policy directly impacts the core business models of Shein and Temu.
Giorgetti emphasized that strong European rules are the only way to curb unfair competition. Official budget forecasts suggest that based solely on the current 2 euro administrative fee, Italy’s treasury is expected to contribute around 122.5 million euros this year. As the policy enters its first full operational year in 2027, this revenue is projected to double to 245 million euros.
If Italy further raises the rate to align with the proposed 3 euro tariff by the EU in the future, the scale of fiscal revenue is expected to further expand.