EXPRA is among the signatories of a joint statement issued by a coalition of European industry and retail organisations calling on the EU to take immediate action to address the rapid increase in small e-commerce imports. The organisations argue that the planned introduction of the “deemed importer” system in 2028 under the Union Customs Code comes too late to effectively tackle problems such as VAT fraud, non-compliance with EU health and safety standards, intellectual property violations, and misleading product claims.
The signatories warn that the rapid growth of online commerce has led to billions of low-value parcels entering the EU each year, placing heavy pressure on customs authorities and creating unfair competition for businesses that comply with EU rules. This situation, they say, threatens industrial value chains, consumer safety, and the viability of local retailers.
To address the issue sooner, the organisations propose introducing a legal requirement for foreign sellers to appoint a legally responsible representative within the EU who can be held accountable for compliance. They also stress the need for stronger enforcement of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations in online sales. The coalition calls on the EU and its Member States to adopt these measures without delay to ensure a fair and compliant Single Market.