Choking hazard pacifiers and toxic raincoats: EU investigates flood of Temu and Shein products

Toxic dumping: 12 million packages a day

According to EU data, in 2024, 4.6 billion packages worth less than €150 arrived in the bloc, the vast majority of them from Asia – typically from Temu and Shein. This amounts to 12 million shipments a day, three times as many as in 2022. In addition to the explosion in quantity, however, the quality and safety of the products is becoming an increasingly serious problem.

According to a report by MEPs in July, the products received include items that are dangerous for children: long drawstring shorts that can pose a risk of accidents, raincoats containing toxic chemicals, and cosmetics containing Lillal (butylphenyl methylpropionate) – the latter banned in the EU from 2022 as it can affect fertility and fetal development.

The EU’s Safety Gate alert system was activated more than 4,100 times last year – a third of these related to cosmetics, but there were also significant reports about toys, electrical appliances and chemical products.

Duty-free access may end, handling fees may come

According to McGrath, the problem not only endangers consumer health, but also creates an unfair competitive situation in the EU market. Local businesses are obliged to comply with strict regulations, while foreign platforms often circumvent them. “I am determined to step up enforcement of our product safety laws and consumer protection rules,” he said.

The European Union has therefore considered removing the €150 tariff exemption threshold and is considering introducing a handling fee per package. This would not only cover the costs of additional inspections but also curb uncontrolled mass imports. The plan would follow the practice of the United States, which will impose a minimum 30% tax or a flat fee of $50 on all Chinese products under $800 from June 1, 2024.