Shopping on Chinese platforms like AliExpress, Shein or Temu is no longer the bargain it used to be. What once cost 15 euros can end up costing more than 30, and the blame lies not with sellers, but with a battery of tariffs that the European Union has put in place and will strengthen further this autumn.

The 'Shein tax' is already in effect: 3 euros per product type

Since 1 July, the EU applies a fixed tariff of 3 euros to all small packages from non-EU countries, as long as they do not exceed 150 euros in value. The measure, popularly known as the 'Shein tax', particularly affects shipments from China, which are the heart of the business for giants like AliExpress, Shein and Temu.

The key problem lies in how it is charged: it is not a tariff per package, but per product category. According to xataka.com, colleagues conducted a purchase simulation: they ordered several assorted items for a total of 14.91 euros. Upon reaching the checkout, the final price was 33.05 euros. The tariffs added up to 18.14 euros, more than the value of the original order.

A more claustrophobic example: if you buy four t-shirts, you pay 3 euros in tariff. But if you add a t-shirt, a toy for the cat and a pair of shoes to the same order, the 3 euros multiply by three different categories, reaching 9 euros of surcharge.

Autumn brings a second wave: the customs processing fee

And there is more. The European Union plans to apply a new customs processing fee starting this autumn, the amount and exact date of which it has not yet confirmed. The European Commission has indicated in its official documentation that the measure will come into force shortly, but the final details remain undefined.

This means that European shoppers should be prepared for their bills to swell even more when autumn arrives, although the exact amount of that fee has not yet been disclosed.

Why did this happen? The 'de minimis' doctrine is dead

For years, there was an unwritten rule in international commerce: packages below a certain value did not pay taxes. This doctrine, known as 'de minimis', allowed platforms like Shein, Temu and AliExpress to offer exorbitantly competitive prices.

The United States eliminated this exemption in February 2023, and Europe was not slow to follow suit. The European Commission justifies the measure by arguing that it is "an outdated tariff exemption that is no longer justified" and that it gave unfair competitive advantage to certain business models. The EU expects to collect around 1 billion euros annually with this tariff.

How to shop without breaking the bank?

Continuing to buy from China is possible, but the strategy must change. Experts suggest:

• Group purchases by category: placing thematic orders reduces the number of tariffs.
• Look for local alternatives: some products can be purchased from Spain or within the EU without penalties.
• Compare real prices: before placing an order from China, assess whether a local retailer can offer you the item at a competitive price once tariffs are added.

The golden age of cheap orders from the other side of the world is coming to an end. What was once a bargain now requires planning and, above all, common sense.