Customs handle the huge and ever-increasing number of goods bought online and imported directly to consumers into the EU. Customs authorities are on the front line. They play a vital role at the EU’s borders by controlling goods arriving from third countries, ensuring that only safe products reach consumers and that competition in the single market remains fair.
Customs work closely with national market surveillance authorities, which monitor and enforce the compliance of products with European product safety laws, once these goods are on the EU market. These authorities are appointed by a Member State to carry out market surveillance in that Member State (e.g. national consumer product safety agencies, chemicals authorities and regulators).
This work is becoming increasingly demanding as customs authorities handle a rapidly growing number of small parcels driven by global e-commerce. E-commerce has exploded over the years. Since 2022, the volume of small packages sent into the EU has doubled every year. In 2024, 4.6 billion packages have flooded the EU market. In July 2025, an increase of 36% was still observed compared to July 2024. Close to 180 direct such shipments are imported into the EU every second.
The results of a new EU-wide large scale customs control operation, in cooperation with market surveillance authorities, under a priority control area (PCA), show that most goods directly shipped to EU consumers from third countries do not comply with EU product rules and safety standards. A check of 20,000 toys and small electronics found that more than half of them did not follow EU product standards. A selection of these products was also laboratory-tested for their safety. 84% of these tested products were found dangerous.
Customs controls on product compliance are increasing every year. More products have been stopped by customs and ultimately refused entry to the EU market because they do not comply with EU rules or are deemed dangerous. Across the EU, customs refused an average of 13 items per million products released in 2024 due to non-compliance or serious risks. However, the expansion of e-commerce-driven imports outpaces the rate at which control measures can be implemented. In 2025, small consignments make up 97% of shipments. Customs cannot control them adequately with traditional methods.
The EU has already taken steps to better control e-commerce imports and to ensure a level playing field with traditional EU retailers. Member States agreed to end the exemption from custom duties of parcels below 150 €, replacing it with a single custom duty of 3 € per item applicable from 1 July 2026. The EU’s Customs Reform will make online platforms and sellers key actors in ensuring that goods sold online into the EU comply with all customs obligations. This is a major departure from the current customs system, which puts the responsibility on the individual consumer and carriers. With online platforms and sellers as the official importers, EU consumers can be reassured that all taxes and duties have been paid and that their purchases are safe and in line with EU environmental, safety and ethical standards.
E-commerce: product compliance and safety
The large influx of small parcels is a challenge for customs. Most goods bought online do not comply with EU standards. Key result from the priority control area (PCA) action and product compliance report.
Read more on the evolution of e-commerce