Dutch working on surcharge for cheap online orders from China

The Dutch cabinet is planning to introduce an extra charge for packages from outside the EU from January, which would add an average of €6 to the cost of an online order, according to draft legislation seen by broadcaster NOS.

The supplement would apply to packages with a value of up to €150 which are currently exempt from customs charges. Every day around one million such packages arrive in the Netherlands, of which 80% to 90% come from Chinese mail order firms such as AliExpress, Temu and Shein.

Many of these are destined for onward shipment to other countries but arrive in the Netherlands via air and sea freight. The sheer volume has made it impossible for customs officials to monitor the contents properly, hence the introduction of the extra levy.

The €2 charge, described in the draft legislation as a handling fee, would apply to each item in a package. Given the average package contains three different products, it would boost the average shipping costs by €6.

The fee will generate some €2 billion, of which a large part would go to the Dutch treasury, NOS said. The real aim, however, is to reduce the popularity of Chinese webshops and protect Dutch outlets.

The EU is already working on similar legislation but that is unlikely to come into force before next November. France, Belgium and Luxembourg are already working on their own plans, saying Brussels is taking too long.

EU research suggests up to 65% of small parcels entering the EU are undervalued and avoid duties.

The Dutch cabinet is willing to wait until the other countries are ready to impose their own fees, NOS said.

The supplement will be paid by postal delivery firms such as Post NL and DHL, but they are likely to pass it on to customers. They have told NOS that January is too soon to start.

The proposal is currently being discussed by the Council of State and must then be approved by the cabinet before it can be introduced. MPs voted last week in favour of a motion to bring in a charge on packages from outside the EU as soon as possible.