Controls for Online Trade to be Tightened
The decree aims to strengthen consumer protection and ensure fair competition for domestic companies. Planned measures include intensive cooperation with the customs authority, a rapid response to reports through risk-based market surveillance, and participation in EU-wide programs.
Customs exemption limit for online trade of 150 euros
Digital tools such as web crawlers are to be used for the analysis of online shops, and the resources of market surveillance and metrology are to be pooled. "Especially in light of the impending trade diversions due to US tariffs and the increased deliveries of Asian companies to Europe, stronger monitoring is all the more important to cushion additional pressure on our domestic retailers," said Minister of Economic Affairs Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP) in a statement. Due to the current customs exemption limit of 150 euros, many of these foreign providers could import their products into the EU without duties - to the detriment of domestic companies that comply with all regulations, he points out.
"While domestic companies meet high standards, every day there are attempts to bring products from third countries into our market under the radar. Our customs therefore not only protect our companies but also consumers from unsafe and non-compliant products," added State Secretary Barbara Eibinger-Miedl (ÖVP). For Economic Association Secretary General and ÖVP Economic Spokesperson Kurt Egger, the decree is "a correct and necessary step to secure the domestic economic location." Rainer Trefelik, Chairman of the Federal Trade Division, sees a "red-white-red step in the right direction."
The state takes the "increasing distortion of competition by non-European e-commerce platforms like Temu and Shein" seriously, said the Trade Association, which explicitly welcomes the announced measures. As the next logical step, the introduction of a processing fee for each third-country package, as promised by the EU Commission, is needed. The 150-euro customs exemption limit for direct imports from third countries should be abolished.
(APA/Red)
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