(Reuters) – The European Union (EU) plans to engage the responsibility of electronic commercial platforms such as TEMU, Shein and Amazon Marketplace if they sell dangerous or illegal online products, the Financial Times reported on Saturday.
This customs reform would oblige e-commerce platforms to provide data before the arrival of goods in the EU, thus making it possible to better control and inspect the packages, according to a proposal project consulted by the financial daily.
Currently, any individual who buys goods online outside the EU, and beyond a certain amount, is considered importer and must pay customs duties and value added (VAT ).
The new measure proposed by the EU will make the platforms responsible for the collection of customs duties and VAT but also for the conformity of goods compared to the requirements of the EU.
The customs data of the 27 EU members will be pooled and a new central customs authority (EUCA) will be set up, reports the FT.
“The EUCA would be able to control goods on the basis of this information and to identify the potential risks, even before loading goods for transport or their physical arrival in the EU”, indicates the project, quoted by The media.
Amazon, Shein and the EU did not respond to a comment and rectle request was unable to reach TEMU immediately.
(Written by Shivani Tanna in Bangalore; Kate Entringer)
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