The European Union will introduce a €3 levy on e-commerce parcels valued under €150 from July next year. This interim charge precedes permanent customs duties planned for 2028, following the removal of the long-standing duty-free threshold for low-value goods. EU data revealed that shipments from China below €150 more than doubled in 2024, reaching 4.2 billion parcels and representing 91% of all such imports.
For UK salons and barbershops that import professional products or back-bar supplies from EU-based suppliers, this new charge represents an immediate cost increase. While the levy is aimed at curbing low-value imports primarily from China, it will inevitably impact any business sourcing smaller, cheaper items from the continent. This could particularly affect independent businesses or those stocking niche products not readily available domestically.
The stated aim is to address unfair competition and regulatory concerns, particularly from fast-fashion e-commerce platforms. However, the broader implication for the beauty industry is a potential shift in supply chain economics. Businesses will need to re-evaluate the cost-effectiveness of their import strategies. The introduction of these new EU customs rules signals a more scrutinised approach to cross-border e-commerce, potentially favouring larger suppliers with established distribution networks who can absorb or mitigate such charges more effectively.
