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EU Proposes €2 Fee on Low-Value Parcels, Posing Challenge for Shein and Temu

/in /tarafından

The European Union is preparing to introduce a €2 ($2.27) handling fee on low-value e-commerce parcels entering the bloc, a move that could significantly impact fast-growing Chinese platforms like Shein and Temu. The measure is aimed at addressing a surge in online orders and leveling the playing field for European retailers.

In 2024, EU customs authorities processed 4.6 billion low-value parcels — double the figure from 2023 — with 91% arriving from China. The proposed fee, still pending approval by EU member states and the European Parliament, would be paid by the online retailers, not by consumers.

The European Commission said the fee would help fund compliance checks on the flood of packages, including regulations around toy safety and consumer protections. A smaller fee of €0.50 is also proposed for goods processed through EU-based warehouses, potentially favoring global firms with advanced logistics over smaller retailers.

“It’s fair to ask Alibaba, Temu, or Shein to pay their fair share,” said Bernd Lange, Chair of the European Parliament’s trade committee. He noted the burden these shipments place on customs authorities and the need for proper enforcement.

France has already voiced support for the measure, while the EU had previously announced plans to end the duty-free status of goods under €150 — but not until 2028.

Reactions from European retailers have been largely supportive. Zalando welcomed the proposal and called for fast-tracking the removal of the €150 customs exemption. Germany’s HDE retail association also endorsed the fee as a step toward curbing unfair competition.

However, concerns remain. Allegro, a leading Polish e-commerce platform, warned that the €0.50 fee for goods processed in EU warehouses might unintentionally benefit larger global players, while smaller firms would bear the full €2 cost. “The implementation details will be crucial,” said Allegro’s regulatory manager Ewelina Stepnik-Godawa.

Chinese companies have yet to respond, though China’s foreign ministry urged the EU to maintain a “fair, transparent and non-discriminatory” environment for Chinese businesses.

The proposal comes just weeks after the U.S. scrapped its own de minimis rule allowing duty-free entry for goods under $800, reflecting a broader global shift toward tighter e-commerce trade regulation.

Pinterest Shares Soar 11% as Strong Ad Spend, AI Strategy Offset Tariff Uncertainty

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Pinterest (PINS) surged more than 11% on Friday, adding nearly $2 billion to its market capitalization, as investors welcomed a stronger-than-expected revenue forecast that defied broader concerns about advertising pullbacks amid geopolitical and trade volatility.

The visual discovery platform joins Reddit and Meta in delivering upbeat revenue figures for the quarter, at a time when U.S. trade policy shifts and rising global tensions have cast doubt over the marketing budgets of many digital firms.

Despite these headwinds, Pinterest’s AI-powered ad tools and expanding Gen Z user base are proving to be effective growth levers. Analysts praised the platform’s focus on delivering personalized and performance-driven ads, boosting advertiser confidence.

“AI is helping to serve up the right type of ads for different audience segments,” said Dan Coatsworth of AJ Bell. “There’s a greater propensity to click when the ad feels relevant.”

Key Metrics:

  • Global Monthly Active Users (MAUs): Up 10% YoY to 570 million, beating LSEG analyst estimates.

  • Forward P/E Ratio: Pinterest trades at 14.51x, more attractive compared to Reddit (67.65x) and Snap (22.19x).

While Asian e-commerce advertisers such as Temu and Shein pulled back spending due to the rollback of the “de minimis” import exemption, Pinterest’s international diversification and AI enhancements helped mitigate the impact.

“Pinterest’s strategic focus on AI improvements and international expansion is yielding results,” said Angelo Zino, senior equity analyst at CFRA.

Still, Barclays analysts cautioned that e-commerce ad trends could worsen later in the year if tariffs begin to directly hit consumer spending. Yet for now, Pinterest is outpacing competitors in converting ad impressions into meaningful business performance.

Pinterest’s stock performance and relatively modest valuation suggest it may be one of the more resilient digital ad plays as global marketing strategies adapt to economic uncertainty.

Trump Administration Mulls Adding Shein and Temu to Forced Labor List

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The Trump administration is reportedly considering adding Chinese e-commerce giants Shein and Temu to its “forced labor” list under the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), according to a report from Semafor on Tuesday. However, no final decision has been made, and the administration could ultimately choose not to place either company on the list, sources familiar with the discussions told Semafor.

Both Shein and Temu have denied allegations of using forced labor in their operations. In a statement to Reuters, Shein emphasized its compliance with the U.S. UFLPA, stating that it was unaware of any such consideration. Similarly, Temu asserted its strict prohibition against forced labor, citing its Third-Party Code of Conduct that bars all forms of involuntary labor.

This potential move by the U.S. follows new tariffs imposed by China on U.S. imports, which also included several companies, such as Google, potentially signaling a response to President Trump’s tariffs that took effect on Tuesday.