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Greek Retailers Call on EU to Accelerate Fee on Low-Value E-Commerce Parcels

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Greek retailers have urged the European Union to implement earlier than planned a €2 ($2.30) handling fee on low-value e-commerce packages entering the bloc, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters.

The EU had announced in May plans to end the duty-free treatment for consignments valued at €150 or less and impose the new fee starting in 2028, aiming to address the surge of online goods imports, primarily from Asia.

In the letter addressed to EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, Stavros Kafounis, president of the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce, requested the fee be applied no later than 2026.

EU customs handled around 4.6 billion low-value parcels in 2024, with 91% originating from China, a figure that doubled from 2023. Approximately 20% of Greek e-commerce sales revenue goes to Chinese platforms, a share expected to grow sharply in the coming years.

Kafounis emphasized that the rapid expansion of major Chinese e-commerce platforms has distorted fair competition within the EU retail market.

Under the proposal, the €2 fee would be charged to online retailers rather than consumers. The measure still requires approval from EU member states and the European Parliament.

Earthquake Swarm Near Santorini Prompts Emergency Action from Greek Authorities

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Greek authorities have launched an emergency response to a growing earthquake swarm near Santorini, triggering the closure of schools and the deployment of emergency teams across the region. The tremors, which began last week, have steadily increased in frequency and strength, prompting fears of potentially more powerful earthquakes. The largest tremor recorded so far reached a magnitude of 5, striking around 34 kilometers northeast of Santorini at 2:27 p.m. local time, as reported by the University of Athens’ earthquake monitoring system. While the situation remains unpredictable, experts have ruled out an immediate volcanic eruption despite the heightened seismic activity.

Experts attribute the ongoing tremors to fault movement rather than volcanic unrest. Santorini, located on the tectonic boundary between the African and Eurasian plates, sits atop the submerged Santorini caldera, which has previously been a site of volcanic activity. According to David Pyle, a professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford, the current swarm is more likely the result of tectonic fault lines shifting, rather than magma-related activity. He noted that the swarm’s underwater location adds complexity to predicting future seismic events, making it difficult to fully assess the potential risks.

The region’s geological activity is driven by the tectonic interaction between the African and Eurasian plates, which causes significant seismic events. Earthquake swarms are not uncommon in the area; however, this recent series is particularly notable for its intensity and location. A similar swarm was recorded between 2011 and 2012, which was linked to magma movement beneath Santorini. This current event, however, appears to be more expansive, with tremors concentrated mainly between the Kolumbo volcano and Anydros Island, both of which are located underwater.

As authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, the unpredictable nature of the swarm underscores the challenge of forecasting seismic activity in a region with such complex tectonic dynamics. While there is currently no immediate volcanic threat, the authorities remain on high alert, prepared to respond to any further developments as they occur.

Greek Police Arrest Man Linked to Fatal Athens Apartment Bombing

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Greek police have detained a 31-year-old man in connection with a deadly homemade bomb explosion in Athens that resulted in one man’s death and serious injuries to a woman. The blast, which took place in an apartment earlier this week, is believed to be associated with anti-establishment guerrilla groups, according to police.

Authorities suspect the explosion occurred during the assembly of the bomb. The arrested Greek national, who testified Friday night, claimed he had access to the apartment through a shared set of keys with the couple involved but denied any involvement in the incident. The man is scheduled to appear before a prosecutor on Saturday.

Over the past two decades, various left-wing and anarchist guerrilla groups have emerged in Greece, often positioning themselves in opposition to governmental structures. These groups, inspired by the dismantled militant organization November 17, were particularly active during Greece’s 2009-2018 debt crisis, conducting numerous arson and bomb attacks targeting political figures, law enforcement, and businesses. While such incidents have declined in recent years, occasional attacks still occur.