According to a report by the Financial Times on February 1, the European Union is considering holding e-commerce platforms like Temu, Shein, and Amazon Marketplace accountable for the sale of hazardous or illegal products online.
Proposed customs reforms aim to require platforms to provide data in advance of goods entering the EU. This would enable authorities to enhance package control and inspections, as detailed in a draft proposal disclosed by FT.
Under the current practice, online buyers in the EU are regarded as the importers for customs purposes. However, the planned reform would shift the responsibility to the platforms, as per the newspaper.
The report outlined that online merchants would need to manage duty and VAT collection, along with ensuring compliance with various EU regulations.
Additionally, the FT mentioned that customs information from the 27 national authorities will be consolidated, and a new central EU customs authority (EUCA) will be established for improved oversight.
FT cited the draft proposing that The EUCA would be able to screen the goods based on this information and to identify potential risks, even prior to the loading of the goods for transport or their physical arrival in the EU.
After a request for comments from Amazon, Shein, and the EU outside regular working hours, there was no immediate response. Efforts to contact Temu were unsuccessful at that time.