Businesses urge EU to fast-track import rules

Some business sectors have expressed concern over the growing volume of ‘low-value’ goods entering the EU via online platforms.

The European Footwear Confederation (CEC) is part of a business coalition which is pressing the EU to speedily introduce relevant importation rules, while claiming that a delay would lead to what they view as continued unfair competition on e-commerce platforms.

Representatives from a number of sectors – including footwear, textiles and retail – have expressed concern over the growing volume of ‘low-value’ goods which they claim are entering the EU via online platforms. These European companies argue that the introduction of ‘deemed importer’ obligations in 2028 will arrive too late to address the challenges they face.

Approximately 5.8 billion parcels are said to have been imported into the EU during 2025 alone. The business coalition states that such a volume of deliveries is placing ‘unprecedented pressure’ on customs systems and regulatory enforcement, and claims that many of these items failed to comply with EU regulations involving taxation, health and safety standards, intellectual property rights and misleading product claims.

The group is asking for immediate action to be taken which requires foreign sellers to appoint a legally responsible representative within the EU. They also argue that ‘Extended Producer Responsibility’ (EPR) obligations should be actively enforced, particularly for online marketplaces and third-country sellers.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 2 of the April 2026 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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