New levy on non-EU parcels kicks in on Sunday in a bid to curb the influx from China

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The European Union will impose a €2 handling fee on each type of item in parcels sent directly to consumers from outside the bloc, in addition to an existing €3 fee on small parcels. The measure is intended to curb the influx of low-cost shipments, particularly from China, ahead of the holiday shopping season.

The European Union will from Sunday slap a €2 (US$2.25) handling fee on packages from outside the 27-nation bloc in a bid to curb the influx from China. The new levy – coming just weeks before the Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas season shopping rushes – will be on top of the EU’s €3 fee on small parcels. The fee will apply to each type of item in a package sent directly to consumers from outside the EU regardless of the parcel’s value. For example, if there are 10 T-shirts in a package,...