EU Plans to Hold E-commerce Marketplaces Accountable for Dangerous or Illegal Products
Amidst growing concerns, the European Union (EU) is set to impose stricter regulations on e-commerce platforms like Temu, Shein, and Amazon Marketplace.
According to a draft proposal obtained by the Financial Times, online marketplaces will face increased responsibility for products sold through their platforms. Customs reforms will mandate platforms to provide detailed information about goods before their arrival in the EU, enabling authorities to enhance controls and inspections.
Currently, EU consumers are considered importers for customs purposes. However, under the proposed reforms, platforms will be held accountable for collecting applicable duties and VAT, ensuring goods meet EU requirements, and mitigating potential risks.
A centralized EU Customs Authority (EUCA) will be established to pool customs data from member states, allowing authorities to screen goods and identify potential threats before they enter the EU.
The EU has not yet provided an official response, while Amazon, Shein, and Temu did not immediately respond to requests for comment.