If you regularly shop on Temu, Shein, AliExpress or other international online marketplaces while living in Spain, it may be worth taking a closer look at your next order. From 1 July, a new EU regulation comes into force that will introduce additional import charges for many goods shipped directly from countries outside the European Union. Orders sent directly from China and other non-EU countries to Spain are expected to be among the most affected.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
The European Union says the move is a response to the sharp rise in low-cost online purchases from Asia. According to the European Commission, billions of low-value parcels entered the EU last year alone, with the vast majority originating in China. Spain is among the countries where platforms such as Temu and Shein have seen rapid growth in recent years, meaning a significant number of shoppers are likely to feel the impact of the new rules the next time they place an order.
New import fee replaces previous exemption rule
Until now, many shipments with a declared value of under €150 were exempt from certain customs duties. This exemption has now been removed. Instead, a flat import fee will be applied to a wide range of direct imports. The measure is intended as a temporary solution until mid-2028. After that, a new digital customs system from the European Union is expected to take over the entire process, making the handling and control of imported goods significantly more efficient.
For consumers, however, this does not automatically mean that every order will simply become €3 more expensive. The level of additional costs depends on which types of goods are ordered together in a single purchase.
Multiple product types may increase costs
The new fee is not based on the number of parcels, but on the customs categories of the goods included. For example, if a customer orders only clothing, the flat charge is applied once. However, if different product categories such as clothing, electronics, cosmetics or household items are combined in a single order, the fee may be charged multiple times.
This could become particularly noticeable in the typical “bulk orders” that platforms such as Temu and Shein are known for. Many customers tend to add a wide variety of items to their basket in order to save on shipping costs. In the future, however, this very shopping behaviour could lead to higher overall order costs.
Spain particularly affected
In Spain, Asian online marketplaces have enjoyed strong popularity for years. Low prices and an extensive product range have led to more and more consumers purchasing clothing, home décor, electronics and household goods directly from non-European sellers. At the same time, Spanish retailers have long complained about an increasing competitive disadvantage compared to these low-cost platforms.
In particular, small and medium-sized businesses as well as trade associations have repeatedly called for a level playing field. With this new regulation, the European Union is therefore not only aiming to improve the organisation of customs procedures, but also to strengthen European trade and create fairer competition. Companies in Spain are also expected to benefit from these changes.
Not every order is automatically affected
However, there is an important exception for customers. Many international platforms now operate logistics centres within the European Union. If an order is shipped from a warehouse in Spain or another EU member state, the new import fee will generally not apply, as the goods have already been brought into the European single market.
A growing share of products from platforms such as Temu and Shein is now being shipped from European fulfilment centres. As a result, customers are advised to pay closer attention to the listed shipping origin when placing orders. Depending on where the goods are dispatched from, it may be possible to avoid additional charges altogether.
Increased checks expected at Spain’s borders
The new regulations are also expected to change the workload of Spanish customs authorities. As a significantly higher number of shipments will need to be registered and checked in the future, experts anticipate increased administrative pressure, particularly during the initial phase of implementation. Whether this will affect delivery times remains to be seen, although longer processing periods may occur if additional customs formalities are required.
For Spain, this issue is also particularly significant because thousands of parcels enter the country every day via airports and logistics hubs. The new rules are intended to help identify unsafe or non-compliant products more quickly, while also reducing customs fraud.
Consumers urged to take a closer look in future
For many shoppers in Spain, the new regulation will mean one key change: the price advantage of particularly cheap direct imports could become smaller than before. Those who continue to buy from platforms such as Temu, Shein or similar marketplaces should therefore not only focus on the purchase price itself, but also pay attention to the country of dispatch and the different product categories included in each order.
The new regulation marks another step by the European Union towards tighter oversight of the rapidly growing cross-border online trade with third countries. For millions of consumers in Spain, the impact may already be felt with their next orders – whether through additional fees or more detailed checks of shipments upon import.
