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~~MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION~~

PA_NonLeg

~~on product safety and regulatory compliance in e-commerce and non-EU imports~~

AMENDMENTS

~~(2025/2037(INI))~~

The Committee on International Trade submits the following to the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, as the committee responsible:

– having regard to the report of 31 March 2022 by the Wise Persons Group on the Reform of the EU Customs Union entitled ‘Putting More Union in the European Customs: Ten proposals to make the EU Customs Union fit for a Geopolitical Europe’,

Amendment 1

– having regard to its position of 13 March 2024 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013,

Motion for a resolution

~~– having regard to the Commission communication of 5 February 2025 entitled ‘A comprehensive EU toolbox for safe and sustainable e-commerce’,~~

Citation 2 a (new)

~~– having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,~~

Motion for a resolution

~~– having regard to the opinion of the Committee on International Trade,~~

Amendment

– having regard to ~~the~~Directive ~~report~~(EU) 2024/1760 of the ~~Committee~~European onParliament and of the ~~Internal~~Council ~~Market~~of ~~and~~13 ~~Consumer~~June ~~Protection~~2024 ~~(A10-0000/2025),~~on corporate sustainability due diligence1a,

A. whereas e-commerce has transformed how consumers purchase and engage with businesses worldwide, unlocking unprecedented opportunities; whereas it also presents significant challenges to the EU’s competitiveness and raises concerns over consumer health and safety;

______________________

1a OJ L, 2024/1760, 5.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1760/oj.

Amendment 2

Motion for a resolution

Citation 2 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to the 2024 report by Enrico Letta entitled ‘Much more than a market’,

Amendment 3

Motion for a resolution

Citation 2 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/3015 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2024 on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market and amending Directive (EU) 2019/19371a,

______________________

1a OJ L, 2024/3015, 12.12.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/3015/oj.

Amendment 4

Motion for a resolution

Recital B

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

B. whereas, with the surge in e-commerce imports, non-compliant sellers evading regulatory costs and undermining law-abiding businesses through means such as counterfeiting, have intensified the unfair competition and there is an urgent need to re-establish a level playing field for all businesses;

C. whereas Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in her 2024-2029 political guidelines, referred to the need to tackle challenges with online platforms to ensure that consumers and businesses alike benefit from a level playing field based on effective customs, tax and safety controls and sustainability standards, and tasked several Executive Vice-Presidents and Commissioners with fulfilling that mission;

B. whereas, with the surge in e-commerce imports, mainly coming from China, non-compliant sellers evading regulatory costs and undermining law-abiding businesses through means such as counterfeiting, have intensified the unfair competition and there is an urgent need to re-establish a level playing field for all businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are disproportionately affected by such unfair competition, and to ensure that all products placed on the EU market meet relevant EU requirements;

D. whereas the process of adapting the EU acquis to the online environment began several years ago, and numerous laws on products, consumer protection and product safety now include provisions to ensure robust safeguards in the digital landscape;

Amendment 5

E. whereas the Digital Services Act (DSA), the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), the Market Surveillance Regulation (MSR) and the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation (CPC) have contributed to a safer and fair e-commerce environment; whereas, despite these laws, consumer and other organisations, as well as national authorities, have raised concerns over the large number of unsafe products detected in the EU that fail to comply with EU legislation on product safety and environmental and chemical standards;

Motion for a resolution

F. whereas concerns over the suitability of customs procedures under the current Union Customs Code for e-commerce were a significant driver of the Commission’s customs reform package, including the legislative proposals on the revision of the Union Customs Code and establishing an EU Customs Authority (UCC reform), and the removal of the EUR 150 exemption threshold (de minimis) for the payment of customs duties and VAT on imported products;

Recital B a (new)

G. whereas the Commission communication of 5 February 2025 on a comprehensive EU toolbox for safe and sustainable e-commerce, highlights that the volume of e-commerce goods bought by EU consumers on non-EU online platforms is expected to continue growing rapidly, benefiting from the current customs duty exemption for low-value consignments (up to EUR 150);

Motion for a resolution

~~The surge in non-compliant goods in e-commerce~~

Amendment

1. Highlights the increasingly high number of purchases being made by EU consumers on non-EU online platforms in business-to-consumer environments and in emerging manufacturer-to-consumer and direct-to-consumer environments; notes, as described in the Letta report on the future of the single market, that the circulation of harmful products in the single market is on the rise and that EU consumers waste EUR 19.3 billion per year buying dangerous products that can lead to injuries and that are detrimental to our economies;

Ba. whereas ensuring a level playing field in e-commerce is essential to maintaining fair competition, yet disparities persist due to regulatory imbalances, taxation loopholes and market dominance by large digital platforms; whereas some online retailers from non-EU countries benefit from less stringent regulations and lower compliance costs, undermining EU businesses that adhere to high standards; whereas the EU has observed a surge in imports from e-commerce platforms that benefit from favourable tax and customs regimes, necessitating regulatory responses to ensure fair competition;

Amendment 6

Motion for a resolution

Recital E a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Ea. whereas the exponential growth in low-value parcel imports from non-EU countries is placing increasing pressure on EU customs authorities, resulting in their limited capacity to conduct effective safety and compliance checks; whereas a significant proportion of these consignments have been found to fall short of EU product safety standards, thereby creating unfair competitive conditions for compliant businesses and contributing to distortions in the internal market;

Amendment 7

Motion for a resolution

Recital E b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Eb. whereas overcapacity in e-commerce, particularly due to the influx of low-cost imports, poses challenges such as market saturation, logistical strain and environmental concerns; whereas an excess supply of goods, often driven by state-supported industries, contributes significantly to market distortions and disadvantages European producers; whereas the increasing volume of small consignments entering the EU without adequate safety and regulatory checks exacerbates these challenges, requiring strengthened enforcement measures;

Amendment 8

Motion for a resolution

Recital E c (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Ec. whereas people from more disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, including low-income families and children, are more exposed to the risks posed by unsafe products due to their lower prices, aggressive marketing and widespread distribution;

Amendment 9

Motion for a resolution

Recital F a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Fa. whereas customs are in need of substantial investments, particularly to ensure sufficient numbers of properly trained staff to guarantee the functioning of EU customs systems, which are facing an exponential increase in demand for customs checks; whereas without the necessary investments in staff, digital solutions cannot achieve benefits in terms of efficiency and harmonisation; whereas, therefore, investments in digital systems must guarantee sufficient funding for staff and for their training so they can acquire the necessary skills to use state-of-the-art equipment and technology for big data analytics, detection and controls, and thus to guarantee that customs checks are conducted uniformly across the EU;

Amendment 10

Motion for a resolution

Recital G a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Ga. whereas these issues require a comprehensive approach, including improved customs checks, stronger enforcement of current product safety and consumer protection regulations, enhanced international cooperation and new international trade agreements, to ensure fair competition, tackle counterfeiting, prevent market distortions and uphold product safety and environmental and chemical standards;

Amendment 11

Motion for a resolution

Recital G b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Gb. whereas addressing these issues requires a coordinated EU approach, including enhanced customs checks, stricter regulatory frameworks, international cooperation, and advanced and progressive international trade agreements, to ensure fair competition, prevent market distortions and uphold environmental and consumer protection standards;

Amendment 12

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 2

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

2. Notes that 4.6 billion e-commerce items under the EUR 150 exemption threshold were imported into the EU in 2024, which corresponds to up to 12 million small e-commerce items per day and is almost twice the number recorded in 2023 (2.4 billion), and more than triple the number in 2022 (1.4 billion);

2. Notes that 4.6 billion e-commerce items under the EUR 150 exemption threshold were imported into the EU in 2024, 91 % of which originated in China, which corresponds to up to 12 million small e-commerce items per day and is almost twice the number recorded in 2023 (2.4 billion), and more than triple the number in 2022 (1.4 billion); insists on the urgent need to eliminate the EUR 150 customs duty exemption to prevent systematic undervaluation, customs fraud and unfair competition from harming EU businesses; calls for the UCC reform to be accelerated, with robust customs screening measures using risk-based analysis, international cooperation with key trade partners and improved mechanisms for cooperation with non-EU countries, particularly to address systemically unfair trade practices followed by major trade exporters;

Amendment 13

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 2 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

2a. Calls on the Commission to put forward proposals that would allow for the rapid and separate adoption of the UCC reform, given the lengthy process of reforming it, the urgent need to address the overwhelming volume of small consignments and subsequent issues, and the broad consensus concerning the removal of the de minimis exemption;

Amendment 14

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

3. Stresses that most unsafe and illegal products are shipped to the EU in large volumes of individual and often small parcels sold to EU consumers via online platforms from non-EU countries; stresses that such products are difficult to control, in particular for customs authorities at the entry points, which are mostly located at major ports and logistical airports for e-commerce; emphasises that this makes it increasingly difficult for market surveillance authorities to detect and remove such products from the internal market and for consumer authorities to do so once the products reach EU consumers;

~~E-commerce crossroads: navigating compliance challenges~~

3. Stresses that most unsafe, dangerous and illegal products are shipped to the EU in large volumes of individual and often small parcels sold to EU consumers, via online platforms from non-EU countries, in particular China; stresses that such products are difficult to control, in particular for customs authorities at the entry points, which are mostly located at major ports and logistical airports for e-commerce; emphasises that this makes it almost impossible to stop such products from entering the EU and makes it increasingly difficult for market surveillance authorities to detect and remove such products from the internal market and for consumer authorities to do so once the products reach EU consumers; highlights, in the context of the proposed EU Customs Authority, the importance of regularly consulting representatives of SMEs, consumers and trade unions to provide early warning to the Authority and help shape its priorities;

Amendment 15

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

3a. Recalls the initiatives undertaken by the Commission to harmonise control systems within the customs union, with a view to strengthening the integrity of the single market; stresses, however, the urgent need to ensure that customs authorities across all Member States are equipped with harmonised digital infrastructure and interoperable tools capable of effectively monitoring, assessing and inspecting the increasing volume of small consignments entering the EU; underlines that, in the absence of fully coordinated and modernised technological solutions, customs and market surveillance authorities remain structurally constrained in addressing the challenges posed by the scale and complexity of e-commerce imports, thereby undermining enforcement efforts, consumer protection, and the uniform application of EU rules and the deepening of the single market;

Amendment 16

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

3b. Stresses the need to ensure product compliance at the point of departure, preventing the export of non-compliant goods from the country of origin; highlights the fact that products without clear origin details and compliance verification should be automatically blocked from being listed on online marketplaces and dispatched from the country of origin; calls therefore for the introduction of the mandatory Digital Product Passport for all goods and for strengthened non-fiscal obligations for importers, such as verifying compliance with product safety requirements, as well as for the implementation of the advance cargo information instrument under the UCC reform;

Amendment 17

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3 c (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

3c. Stresses the need for effective measures against counterfeiting of European craft products, which meet not only high safety standards, but also high levels of quality; notes that, on 1 December 2025, Regulation No 2023/2411 on the protection of geographical indications for craft and industrial products1a will come into force; notes that, if not accompanied by adequate promotion and protection, especially with respect to the markets of non-EU countries, geographical indications risk remaining ineffective; calls, therefore, on the Commission, together with the customs authorities of the Member States, to strengthen checks aimed at intercepting products that violate the rules on geographical indications, in order to protect the EU’s producer and consumer associations;

___________________

1a OJ L, 2023/2411, 27.10.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2411/oj.

Amendment 18

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

4. Recognises that the EU has established a robust compliance framework, which also applies to products sold online; underlines, in that respect, the importance of the DSA, the MSR, the GPSR, consumer protection rules and various product and environmental laws; emphasises that market surveillance authorities face challenges in applying these frameworks to online platforms and, in particular, in cases where large quantities of a product are sold in small consignments;

4. Recognises that the EU has established a robust compliance framework, which also applies to products sold online; calls on the relevant national authorities to make full use of the current and recently adopted enforcement toolbox – especially in relation to provisions on e-commerce set in the MSR, the GPSR and the DSA such as takedown orders, removal of products from the market, recalls and sanctions as measures to counter the rise of illegal imports from non-EU countries; insists on the need to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of current instruments; underlines, in that respect, the importance of the DSA, the MSR, the GPSR, consumer protection rules and various product and environmental laws; emphasises that market surveillance authorities face challenges in applying these frameworks to online platforms and, in particular, in cases where large quantities of a product are sold in small consignments;

Amendment 19

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 5

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

5. Highlights the enforcement gaps caused by the limited resources of customs and market surveillance authorities, the lack of harmonised technological tools across Member States and insufficient data sharing between customs authorities, platforms and market surveillance entities; acknowledges that physical inspections are unavoidably and inherently limited given the volume of e-commerce parcels entering the EU;

5. Highlights the significant enforcement gaps caused by the limited resources of customs and market surveillance authorities, the lack of harmonised technological tools across Member States, insufficient data sharing between customs authorities, platforms and market surveillance entities and the lack of reliable information provided by some platforms; acknowledges that physical inspections are too limited given the volume of e-commerce parcels entering the EU;

Amendment 20

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 6

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

6. Considers that EU manufacturers face unfair competition due to non-EU platforms enabling non-EU manufacturers to easily enter the EU market, bypassing applicable regulations and standards; highlights the fact that, while EU manufacturers must comply with strict safety, environmental and quality rules, many low-value products sold through these platforms evade customs and market surveillance checks due to the way they are shipped to the EU; raises concerns that some of these platforms deliberately exploit this loophole, allowing non-compliant imports to enter the EU single market unchecked, putting European manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers at a disadvantage;

Amendment 21

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

7. Stresses that EU manufacturers are de facto subject to significantly stricter market surveillance compared to non-EU manufactures that reach EU consumers via online e-commerce platforms; deeply regrets the loss of market share caused by the influx of cheaper, non-compliant products shipped from non-EU countries;

7. Stresses that EU manufacturers are de facto subject to significantly stricter market surveillance compared to non-EU manufacturers that reach EU consumers via online e-commerce platforms; deeply regrets the loss of market share and jobs caused by the influx of cheaper, non-compliant products shipped from non-EU countries that frequently fail to comply with the rules, particularly in the toy, clothing and cosmetics industries;

Amendment 22

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

7a. Highlights the need to restore fair competition in the internal market by addressing the structural disadvantage faced by EU SMEs that comply with stringent safety, environmental and consumer protection standards, yet operate at a disadvantage compared to imports that may not consistently meet the same requirements; advocates enhanced enforcement mechanisms and clearer liability frameworks to ensure that non-EU economic operators and intermediaries placing products on the EU market are held accountable for compliance with EU rules;

Amendment 23

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

8. Highlights the difference between online platforms acting as intermediaries and those acting as importers; notes, in particular, that the EU e-commerce platforms that act as importers face compliance costs that increase their retail prices by approximately 40 %; highlights that the EU Safety Gate portal, which tracks dangerous products detected on the EU market, shows that approximately half of all flagged products originate from China;

Amendment 24

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 9

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

9. Emphasises that online marketplaces are requested to trace their traders (‘know your business customer’) under the DSA, which should discourage traders from selling unsafe or counterfeit goods; notes, however, the rise in new selling practices via social media platforms, where this obligation is not effectively applied, allowing non-EU sellers to offer non-compliant goods to EU users directly; warns that an increasing number of purchases are now concluded directly on social media platforms, search engines and other intermediaries through integrated shopping features – such as in-app checkout or social commerce –without redirection to a dedicated online marketplace; calls, therefore, on the Commission to effectively enforce ‘Know Your Business Customer’ (KYBC) requirements for all intermediaries, not just marketplaces, to also fight the entry of counterfeit and unsafe goods into the internal market; calls in this regard for proper enforcement of the KYBC provisions;

Amendment 25

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 9 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

9a. Calls for reinforced traceability and transparency requirements for e-commerce platforms based outside the EU, including the obligation to provide tax and customs identification for every shipment; underlines that greater accountability of digital platforms would help combat undervaluation practices, duty evasion and unfair competition to the detriment of compliant EU operators;

Amendment 26

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 9 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

9b. Notes with concern how complex it is for EU authorities to enforce EU laws extraterritorially; highlights the need for enhanced international cooperation agreements, particularly with major e-commerce exporters, to ensure that marketplaces effectively enforce EU safety and consumer protection rules, even when sellers are based outside the EU;

Amendment 27

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 10

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

10. Highlights the fact that the information of a responsible economic operator in the EU under the GPSR, acting on behalf of a non-EU trader or platform, is often wrong or missing; considers that, in such cases, the enforcement of EU law becomes difficult for national surveillance authorities, in particular with non-EU traders that offer their products to EU consumers via non-EU online platforms;

Amendment 28

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 11

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

11. Supports the opening of investigations brought forward by consumer authorities in the EU, as part of the CPC network, as well as under the DSA, against non-EU online platforms and calls for their swift conclusion; underlines that the implementation of commitments received from online platforms should be closely monitored;

~~Strong enforcement policies to combat non-compliant e-commerce products~~

11. Supports the investigation and enforcement actions by consumer authorities in the EU, as part of the CPC network, as well as under the DSA, against non-EU online platforms and calls for their swift conclusion; underlines the need for enforcement to have a deterrent effect, with adequate sanctions to trigger compliance; underlines that the implementation and effectiveness of commitments received from online platforms should be closely monitored;

~~Urgent need for short-term measures~~

Amendment 29

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

12. Urges the Member States to increase funding and resources for market surveillance authorities and customs authorities so that they can better cope with the challenges related to unsafe and illicit products; asks the Commission to support the cooperation between market surveillance and customs authorities and stresses that cooperation across different sectors should be improved;

12. Highlights that the Member States and the EU have the responsibility to ensure that market surveillance and customs authorities are properly resourced, trained and equipped to have the capacity to fulfil their mission, including proper investigative powers; urges the Member States, therefore, to increase funding and resources for market surveillance authorities and customs authorities, consumer protection and digital services authorities so that they can better cope with the challenges related to unsafe and illicit products; highlights the potential for undue pressure on agents in this context and stresses the importance of upholding labour rights and adequate working conditions; asks the Commission to support the cooperation between competent authorities, including between market surveillance and customs authorities and stresses that cooperation across different sectors should be improved; urges the Member States to consider new ways, such as handling fees, to financially support customs authorities in supervising compliance with EU rules on imported goods while pursuing sustainability and circular economy objectives;

Amendment 30

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

12a. Calls for appropriate market restriction and/or immediate sanctioning of platforms such as Amazon, Shein, Temu, Alibaba and AliExpress if they fail to comply with EU laws regarding product conformity or social or environmental standards or act in a way that may endanger consumers and create unfair competition for European manufacturers and retailers;

Amendment 31

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

14. Highlights the fact that, under the GPSR, if the providers of online marketplaces have any product safety issues, they are obliged to establish a single point of contact, register with the Safety Gate Portal and indicate the information concerning their single contact point on the portal; asks the Commission to effectively enforce this and other obligations of online marketplaces and to support the Member States’ market surveillance authorities in implementing the GPSR and the MSR;

13. Welcomes the Commission’s intention to coordinate the control of customs and market surveillance authorities under priority control areas focused on products from non-EU countries that pose significant safety hazards and a risk of non-compliance; calls on the Commission to strengthen cooperation within the EU Product Compliance Network and to increase EU funding for customs cooperation under the customs programme; points out to the Commission that, in addition to existing testing facilities for toys and radio equipment, more testing facilities for e-commerce goods are urgently needed, such as for batteries, technological devices, cosmetics, textiles, including children’s clothing, and other products; asks the Commission and the Member States to increase investments in equipment for the detection of unsafe and illegal goods; calls on the Commission to support the collaboration of existing testing facilities with, inter alia, professional trade associations, consumer associations, universities across the Member States, together with the EU reference laboratories and the Commission’s Joint Research Centre, as a way to maximise the impact of their work and expand the reach of their findings;

15. Emphasises that the swift implementation of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) for several critical products sold online is essential to strengthen the enforcement of existing legislation; urges the Commission to present the necessary secondary legislation on the DPP as soon as possible, in particular for textiles; calls on the Commission to continuously assess the requirements, technical design and operation of the DPP under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) as a priority;

Amendment 32

16. Proposes a mandatory DPP with early compliance verification for all products imported via e-commerce, including detailed quality and compliance data, to be integrated directly into the EU customs data hub, allowing authorities to pre-screen information on products before they are placed on the single market; believes that products without clear origin details and compliance verification should be automatically blocked from being listed on online marketplaces;

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 15

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

15. Emphasises that the swift implementation of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) for several critical products sold online is essential to strengthen the enforcement of existing legislation; urges the Commission to present the necessary secondary legislation on the DPP as soon as possible, in particular for textiles, including children’s clothing, cosmetics, toys and technological devices; calls on the Commission to continuously assess the requirements, technical design and operation of the DPP under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation8 (ESPR) as a priority;

__________________

8 Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for sustainable products, amending Directive (EU) 2020/1828 and Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and repealing Directive 2009/125/EC, OJ L, 2024/1781, 28.6.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1781/oj.

Amendment 33

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 16 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

16a. Stresses the need for enhanced intellectual property enforcement measures targeting e-commerce, given the rising volume of counterfeit goods entering the EU market, including 17.5 million counterfeit items that were seized in 2023; recalls the Commission’s intellectual property action plan, which emphasises the need for the effective protection of intellectual property (IP) rights to maintain EU innovation and competitiveness; supports increased cooperation between customs and market surveillance authorities and IP rights holders; urges the Commission to explore an EU-wide counterfeit goods blacklist; highlights the need to integrate current IP frameworks into e-commerce policies, leveraging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve traceability and IP protection;

Amendment 34

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 17

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

17. Urges the Member States to make substantial efforts to increase customs controls and improve risk analysis, as the detection and removal of non-compliant goods can significantly reduce the harm to EU consumers and protect the economic interests of EU businesses, particularly SMEs, which are disproportionately affected by unfair competition from non-compliant imports; calls for customs authorities’ capabilities to be enhanced internationally, with strengthened risk assessments, advanced AI detection methods and stronger collaboration with consumer organisations, rights holders and global trade partners; urges, furthermore, the Member States to significantly increase customs authorities’ level of digitalisation of import procedures in order to implement current legislation and accelerate customs procedures, especially in view of the high numbers of parcels;

Amendment 35

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 18

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

18. Considers that the evaluation report on the interaction of the DSA with other legal acts, which is due on 17 November 2025, should take into account different legislation, in particular on the obligations of online marketplaces and possible future improvements; calls on the Commission to evaluate the need to align the sectoral legislation with the fiscal and non-fiscal obligations of deemed importers for goods imported from a non-EU country and to outline the differences in their application, thus ensuring legal predictability;

19. Points out that the Member States should make better use of the available sets of penalties and sanctions against economic operators, as well as other available interim measures, to dissuade economic operators from infringing upon the applicable legislation, in order to create a deterrent effect;

18. Considers that the evaluation report on the interaction of the DSA with other legal acts, which is due on 17 November 2025, should take into account different legislation, in particular on the obligations of online marketplaces, enforcement roles and possible future improvements; calls on the Commission to evaluate the need to align the sectoral legislation with the fiscal and non-fiscal obligations of deemed importers for goods imported from a non-EU country and to outline the differences in their application, thus ensuring legal predictability;

~~Need for regulatory reforms~~

Amendment 36

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 20

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

20. Calls for the removal of barriers to enforcing consumer rights, such as legal warranty claims and the right to return items; calls on the Commission, in the context of the review of the CPC Regulation, to provide for clear measures to further strengthen EU consumer law enforcement, including enforcement powers over non-EU traders and platforms, better coordination of EU and national actions and the exchange of information among authorities;

21. Notes that enforcement in the Member States is fragmented, which leads to inefficiencies; calls for better coordination of enforcement and compliance oversight and for a more uniform application of the EU acquis;

Amendment 37

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 22

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

22. Supports the Commission’s ambition to swiftly advance the upcoming interinstitutional negotiations with Parliament and the Council on the UCC reform and the two proposals for Council acts on removing the exemption threshold on customs duties for goods valued under EUR 150; urges, therefore, the Member States to accelerate the negotiation procedure in the Council, recognising the urgency of the customs reform for EU competitiveness and the protection of EU consumers;

22. Supports the Commission’s ambition to swiftly advance the upcoming interinstitutional negotiations with Parliament and the Council on the UCC reform given the important role played by customs in detecting non-compliant and unsafe products, and the two proposals for Council acts on removing the exemption threshold on customs duties for goods valued under EUR 150; stresses that the current exemption grants non-EU sellers an unfair competitive advantage, incentivising the undervaluation of goods declared to customs authorities, which distorts competition and undermines EU businesses; underlines that removing the threshold is a necessary step but not a comprehensive solution, as customs authorities will still only be able to inspect a limited percentage of parcels; urges, therefore, the Member States to accelerate the negotiation procedure in the Council, recognising the urgency of the customs reform for EU competitiveness and the protection of EU consumers; underlines the importance of accelerating the UCC negotiations as a concrete step towards customs modernisation, in particular by promoting the digitalisation of customs procedures to improve checks and traceability; insists on stronger EU customs policy coordination to better protect consumers and businesses, particularly SMEs;

Amendment 38

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 23

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

23. Stresses that the UCC reform will provide the necessary tools for customs authorities to better supervise and control the goods entering the EU, contribute to strengthening the single market and customs union, improve the detection of unsafe and illicit products and contribute to a level playing field among economic operators;

24. Highlights the fact that the concept of a ‘deemed importer’ aims to ensure a level playing field for both EU and non-EU online platforms; notes that this measure would relieve customers of non-EU online platforms from being considered importers, as they are under the current UCC, as, in the context of an online sale from outside the EU, an economic operator would be considered the importer and would assume the corresponding fiscal and non-fiscal responsibilities; requests that customers whose purchases are blocked by customs due to non-compliance receive financial compensation from the e-commerce platform acting as the deemed importer for non-delivery;

23. Stresses that the UCC reform will provide the necessary tools for customs authorities to better supervise and control the goods entering the EU, contribute to strengthening the single market and customs union, improve the detection of unsafe and illicit products before they reach the consumer and contribute to a level playing field among economic operators;

25. Raises concerns over the voluntary application of the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) regime for online marketplaces, which is contrary to the initial VAT in the digital age proposals; stresses, therefore, that online marketplaces that are not using the IOSS should also be considered deemed importers in order to ensure the fulfilment of their fiscal and non-fiscal obligations and effectively address the challenges in e-commerce;

Amendment 39

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 23 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

23a. Is concerned that non-EU traders can in some cases clear customs at the point of origin to circumvent EU checks upon arrival; notes that non-EU traders or non-EU e-commerce platforms can also operate aircraft to transport their products, effectively allowing them to control the supply chain; stresses that non-EU trading companies often prefer to pay penalties rather than open packages upon arrival at EU customs, aiming to unload shipments and depart immediately; is deeply concerned that customs authorities find that most packages are either undeclared or incorrectly declared and are sometimes fraudulently labelled; highlights that UCC reform should also address these issues;

Amendment 40

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 26

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

26. Calls for the establishment of a new EU Customs Authority, if possible in 2026, to provide expert support to the Member States’ customs authorities; notes that the new EU customs data hub will allow for enhanced cooperation between the EU Customs Authority and customs and other authorities through data exchange and the interoperability of national IT systems, and thus facilitate coordinated controls and the detection of non-compliant products; considers that it is essential to fully integrate the functionalities of the Customs Single Window into the EU customs data hub;

27. Stresses that, given the urgency, the entry into force of different obligations planned in the UCC revision should be accelerated, such as the establishment of the EU customs data hub; calls on the Commission to immediately start the preparatory work necessary for the establishment of the EU customs data hub, so as to speed up the preparation of its e-commerce functions in 2026;

26. Calls for the establishment of a new EU Customs Authority, if possible in 2026, to provide expert support to the Member States’ customs authorities; notes that the new EU customs data hub will allow for enhanced cooperation between the EU Customs Authority and customs and other authorities through data exchange and the interoperability of national IT systems, and thus facilitate coordinated controls and the detection of non-compliant products, and should include the monitoring of online platforms found to have facilitated the import of dangerous or illegal products into the EU; considers that it is essential to fully integrate the functionalities of the Customs Single Window into the EU customs data hub;

Amendment 41

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 28

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

28. Encourages the idea of e-commerce items being shipped to the EU in bulk and, in turn, the establishment of warehouses in the EU by online platforms for such goods before they are put into parcels for delivery to customers; recognises that such shipments of e-commerce items in bulk and their storage in warehouses in the EU would increase the oversight of customs and market surveillance authorities and improve their controls and detection of non-compliant goods; asks the Commission and the Member States to consider all possible options, including simplifying the status of a trust and check trader if a warehouse in the EU is established;

28. Believes that e-commerce items being shipped to the EU in bulk will ease the work of customs and market surveillance authorities and should therefore be incentivised; recognises that such shipments of e-commerce items in bulk and their storage in warehouses in the EU would increase the oversight of customs and market surveillance authorities and improve their controls and detection of non-compliant goods compared to single parcel shipments; asks the Commission and the Member States to consider all possible options, including simplifying the status of a trust and check trader if a warehouse in the EU is established;

Amendment 42

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 29

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

29. Underlines that the Commission’s proposal to introduce a non-discriminatory handling fee on e-commerce items, charged by customs authorities to online platforms on items imported directly to consumers in the EU, could partially cover the increased administrative costs of customs and other authorities, particularly when the products are shipped in small individual parcels; welcomes the fact that this handling fee would be incurred by the online retailer or online marketplace and not by the consumer; considers that the handling fee on e-commerce items should only apply if items are not shipped in bulk and not warehoused in the EU;

30. Supports the minimum harmonisation of infringements and non-criminal sanctions for non-compliance across the Member States; stresses that this should not entail setting exact harmonised penalty levels in all Member States, since each country has a different legal system, but rather a common framework for minimum harmonisation to close existing loopholes and thus tackle the e-commerce challenges;

29. Underlines that the Commission’s proposal to introduce a non-discriminatory handling fee on e-commerce items, charged by customs authorities to online platforms on items imported directly to consumers in the EU, could partially cover the increased administrative costs of customs and other authorities, particularly when the products are shipped in small individual parcels; urges the Commission to ensure that this handling fee would be incurred by the online retailer or online marketplace and not by the consumer; considers that the handling fee on e-commerce items should only apply if items are not shipped in bulk and not warehoused in the EU;

~~Additional enforcement actions~~

Amendment 43

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 30 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

30a. Calls on the Member States to introduce automated, forward-looking customs clearing systems, for instance by enabling digital advance declarations and obliging platforms to enrol and clear customs automatically at the point of sale;

Amendment 44

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 30 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

30b. Emphasises the need to ensure that any new initiatives proposed by the Commission in the area of customs enforcement or compliance do not result in additional administrative burdens for businesses, particularly SMEs;

Amendment 45

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 31

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

31. Calls on the Commission to strongly enforce the DSA with regard to the responsibility of online marketplaces, in particular their ‘know your business customer’ obligation that should dissuade non-compliant sellers from offering their products in the EU through marketplaces, and to provide practical support in tracing traders that do not abide by EU rules; suggests that online marketplace sellers must provide a reshipping address and contact point within the EU to allow consumers to easily return non-compliant goods without undue costs and to allow authorities to inspect goods; believes that online marketplaces should be responsible for checking this and held accountable for enforcement;

31. Calls on the Commission to strongly enforce the DSA with regard to the responsibility of online marketplaces, in particular the ‘compliance by design’ rules to increase the overall traceability and the ‘know your business customer’ obligation that should dissuade non-compliant sellers from offering their products in the EU through marketplaces, and to provide practical support in tracing traders that do not abide by EU rules; suggests that online marketplace sellers must provide a reshipping address and contact point within the EU to allow consumers to easily return non-compliant goods without undue costs and to allow authorities to inspect goods; believes that online marketplaces should be responsible for checking this and held accountable; calls on the Commission to develop guidelines clarifying procedures for designating trusted flagger mechanisms under the DSA with a view to ensuring their full harmonisation across the EU and effectively tackling the distribution of illicit goods online;

Amendment 46

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 32

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

32. Stresses that the enhancement of cooperation and coordination with national competent authorities is crucial; stresses that, under the DSA, the investigative actions against non-compliant non-EU online marketplaces need to yield results in order to prevent certain producers or sellers from selling non-compliant products and to ensure that such products are no longer offered to EU consumers;

32. Stresses that the enhancement of cooperation and coordination with national competent authorities is crucial; stresses that, under the DSA, the investigative actions against non-compliant online marketplaces need to yield results and lead to appropriate and deterrent sanctions in order to prevent certain producers or sellers from selling non-compliant products and to ensure that such products are no longer offered to EU consumers;

Amendment 47

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 33

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

33. Notes that postal and other delivery services are undergoing significant transformations due to the rapid growth of e-commerce; raises concerns that the reform of the Universal Postal Union’s terminal dues system allows for country-by-country negotiations of postal rates; notes that, as a result, shipping e-commerce goods from China to Europe remains more cost-effective than delivering similar goods within Europe, leading to deeper fragmentation of the single market for postal services; urges the Commission to evaluate the impact of e-commerce on postal services and the internal market, and to consider how it could support market surveillance and customs authorities;

~~Increased use of IT solutions~~

33. Notes that postal and other delivery services are undergoing significant transformations due to the rapid growth of e-commerce; raises concerns that the reform of the Universal Postal Union’s terminal dues system allows for country-by-country negotiations of postal rates; stresses in this context the unfair advantages that China gains due to its classification as a developing country by the Universal Postal Union; notes that, as a result, shipping e-commerce goods from China to Europe remains more cost-effective than delivering similar goods within Europe, leading to deeper fragmentation of the single market for postal services; urges the Commission to evaluate the impact of e-commerce on postal services and the internal market, and to consider how it could support market surveillance and customs authorities;

34. Welcomes the fact that the Commission is preparing a project to streamline existing databases, including the EU Safety Gate and the Customs Risk Management System, into a common interoperable system and to ensure interoperability with the DPP;

Amendment 48

35. Supports the Commission’s aim to provide market surveillance authorities with the e-Surveillance WebCrawler tool to flag reappearing dangerous products; asks the Commission to make available another web crawler for detecting new listings as soon as possible;

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 33 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

33a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that all online marketplaces and platforms facilitating the sale of goods in the EU are fully covered by the DSA and subject to the same enforcement obligations, including those related to trader traceability and product safety; urges the institutions to initiate appropriate proceedings in cases of non-compliance, particularly where platforms fail to verify the identity of traders or to ensure the traceability of products offered to EU consumers;

Amendment 49

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 33 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

33b. Points out the importance of enforcing the new rules of the GSPR regarding obligations on online marketplaces and the need to establish a person in the EU who is responsible for the product and to collect evidence concerning the enforceability of EU product safety laws via this responsible person;

Amendment 50

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 33 c (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

33c. Calls on the Commission to enhance international cooperation with like-minded partners to exchange best practice, identify common challenges and risks and develop joint actions on e-commerce;

Amendment 51

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 33 d (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

33d. Underlines the problems stemming from China’s continued classification as a developing country by the Universal Postal Union, which contributes to it being granted unfair advantages through significantly reduced terminal dues; stresses that this outdated status results in artificially low shipping costs for Chinese businesses already engaged in an aggressive price undercutting strategy, disadvantaging European merchants and postal operators under critical stress from unfair trade practices and competition; highlights the severe economic impacts and increased environmental costs of higher parcel volumes and strained logistics; urges the Commission to strongly advocate reforms of the Universal Postal Union to reflect China’s true economic status to ensure fair global competition and equitable shipping rates, while exploring the possibility of concluding alternative bilateral and multilateral agreements;

Amendment 52

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 33 e (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

33e. Welcomes, in this regard, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce; notes that the agreement is a set of ground rules on digital trade for a large number of WTO members, and will benefit consumers and businesses by facilitating cross-border electronic transactions, reducing barriers to digital trade, and promoting innovation in e-commerce; underlines, however, that the agreement is only a basis and encourages the Commission to pursue ambitious digital trade chapters or stand-alone digital trade agreements in negotiations with partners to ensure binding provisions on e-commerce;

Amendment 53

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 36

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

36. Supports the use, at national level, of artificial intelligence, blockchain and the internet of things for scanning and analysing product listings on e-commerce platforms, automating customs and market surveillance inspections and risk profiling and integrating product compliance databases for real-time checks; notes, however, that the high implementation costs of these technologies remain a barrier, especially for low-value goods and that the high volume of parcels containing many different items limits practical inspection capabilities;

36. Supports the use of artificial intelligence, blockchain and the internet of things for scanning and analysing product listings on e-commerce platforms, automating customs and market surveillance inspections and risk profiling and integrating product compliance databases for real-time checks; notes that the implementation of these technologies will make handling more efficient, especially for low-value goods and the high volume of parcels containing many different items, which are currently constrained by limited inspection capabilities;

Amendment 54

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 36

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

36. Supports the responsible use, at national level, of artificial intelligence, blockchain and the internet of things for scanning and analysing product listings on e-commerce platforms, automating customs and market surveillance inspections and risk profiling and integrating product compliance databases for real-time checks in line with EU and national law; notes, however, that the high implementation costs of these technologies remain a barrier, especially for low-value goods and that the high volume of parcels containing many different items limits practical inspection capabilities;

Amendment 55

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 37

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

37. Demands that the Commission and the Member States exchange best practices and find incentives to provide the necessary funding and support for national authorities in order to increase the use of technological solutions; suggests that artificial intelligence, blockchain and the internet of things could be used to scan and analyse product listings on e-commerce platforms, automate inspections and risk profiling, and integrate product compliance databases for real-time checks by several authorities;

38. Recognises that some online marketplaces also use a number of IT tools to detect and remove unsafe and illicit products that are found on their platforms; highlights, however, the fact that online marketplaces need to further invest in and increase their use of these IT tools to effectively avoid the offer and sale of unsafe and illicit products; calls on the Commission to further incentivise the use of IT tools by online marketplaces in this regard;

37. Demands that the Commission and the Member States exchange best practices and find incentives to provide the necessary funding and support for national authorities in order to increase the responsible use of technological solutions; suggests that artificial intelligence, blockchain and the internet of things could be used to scan and analyse product listings on e-commerce platforms, automate inspections and risk profiling, and integrate product compliance databases for real-time checks by several authorities;

~~Improvement of consumer awareness and information~~

Amendment 56

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 39

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

39. Emphasises that EU consumers are not adequately informed about the possible dangers of potentially unsafe products and the harm they can cause; notes that there is demand for cheaper products among EU consumers, which are purchased on non-EU online marketplaces due to their much lower production costs and uncompetitive conditions for EU businesses and online platforms;

40. Asks the Commission to strictly enforce the ecodesign requirements for textiles and other products under the ESPR and to make sure that consumers are better informed about sustainability aspects, such as environmental impacts, energy use, repairability or durability of products purchased on online marketplaces;

39. Emphasises that EU consumers are not adequately informed about the possible dangers of potentially unsafe products and the harm they can cause; stresses that consumers are increasingly targeted by traders who, despite their legal obligations, often do not inform consumers that their products are manufactured outside of the EU; notes that there is demand for cheaper products among EU consumers, which are purchased on non-EU online marketplaces due to their much lower production costs and uncompetitive conditions for EU businesses and online platforms; underlines the urgent need for the Commission to propose a digital fairness act, which would be an essential piece of legislation that complements the DSA, aimed at addressing manipulative market practices not fully covered by the current legislative framework; urges the Commission to accelerate its introduction before late 2026 to swiftly tackle problematic e-commerce practices and ensure enhanced consumer protection and fair digital market conditions;

41. Considers that consumer authorities and organisations should conduct more awareness-raising campaigns on consumer rights, potential risks and redress mechanisms when purchasing online, in particular on non-EU online platforms;

Amendment 57

Motion for a resolution

~~° °~~

Paragraph 39 a (new)

~~42. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.~~

Motion for a resolution

~~EXPLANATORY STATEMENT~~

Amendment

~~Introduction~~

39a. Welcomes the existence of Safety Gate, the EU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products, as well as the work of consumer organisations across the EU, which compile records of dangerous products; calls on the Commission to communicate more on the work of consumer organisations to ensure that information is made available to the largest possible audience;

The rapid growth of e-commerce has revolutionised market accessibility across the European Union, but it has also highlighted significant regulatory challenges. As more goods are sold online, particularly from third countries, issues surrounding customs, taxation, product safety, and fair competition have become more pressing. The growing volume of non-compliant goods entering the market poses serious risks to consumer safety and the fairness of competition, undermining EU standards. This draft report outlines the key challenges facing the e-commerce sector and proposes measures to close regulatory gaps, ensuring a safer and fairer marketplace for businesses and consumers alike.

Amendment 58

~~Key Challenges~~

Motion for a resolution

One of the primary concerns in the EU e-commerce landscape is the increasing volume of unsafe and illicit products. The number of small shipments into the EU has surged dramatically, with over 4.6 billion parcels arriving in 2024 alone. Many of these goods, often shipped from outside the EU, bypass necessary compliance checks, putting consumers at risk and undermining market integrity.

Subheading 5 (new)

Although the EU has implemented a comprehensive compliance framework, including legislation such as the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Market Surveillance Regulation (MSR), and the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), enforcement remains difficult. Customs and market surveillance authorities are struggling to cope with the overwhelming volume of small shipments, and inconsistencies in resources, data sharing, and technology hinder their ability to effectively regulate online sales.

Motion for a resolution

EU businesses also face unfair competition. While EU-based manufacturers are subject to stringent safety and environmental regulations, many third country sellers avoid these rules, creating an uneven playing field. This leads to a loss of market share for EU producers, as non-EU products flood the market without adhering to the same standards.

Amendment

Further complicating the situation are regulatory loopholes that allow non-EU online platforms to bypass compliance, leaving the burden of ensuring product safety largely on EU e-commerce platforms. This situation continues to allow unsafe and illegal goods to enter the EU market unchecked.

Trade and development considerations

~~Urgency for short-term measures~~

Amendment 59

To address the regulatory challenges in the e-commerce sector, several key proposals have been put forward. First, there is a need for increased resources for customs and market surveillance authorities. These agencies must be adequately funded to handle the growing volume of non-compliant goods and better enforce EU regulations.

Motion for a resolution

Collaboration among national market surveillance and customs authorities must be enhanced to address the regulatory gaps that currently exist. This cooperation will be essential in closing the enforcement gaps that allow unsafe goods to enter the market.

Paragraph 41 a (new)

The establishment of additional testing facilities for e-commerce products would improve compliance with safety regulations, particularly for high-risk goods such as batteries and textiles. These facilities will help ensure that products meet safety standards before they enter the EU market.

Motion for a resolution

The introduction of a Digital Product Passport (DPP) would allow for better tracking of e-commerce goods and ensure compliance information is available for pre-screening, particularly for high-risk products. This would help identify non-compliant goods before they enter the single market.

Amendment

Member States should better utilise existing penalties and sanctions to deter economic operators from violating legislation. The draft report supports minimum harmonisation of infringements and non-criminal sanctions across the EU to close regulatory gaps and address e-commerce challenges effectively, but stresses that exact penalty levels should not be standardised due to varying legal frameworks of Member States.

41a. Calls on the Commission to step up cooperation with international partners, within forums such as the WTO, the World Customs Organization (WCO), and the G7, to counterbalance China’s influence and ensure reciprocity and rule-based trade; calls on the Commission to explicitly incorporate robust and enforceable obligations addressing forced labour when reviewing and renegotiating current trade and investment agreements; underscores the need for stronger EU-China cooperation mechanisms and transparent certification requirements to ensure compliance; calls on China, while the recent lifting of Chinese sanctions on Members and bodies of the European Parliament is a necessary step towards restoring dialogue, to lift all remaining sanctions, in particular those targeting national parliamentarians, former members of the European Parliament, scholars and non-profit organisations, as their removal remains a precondition for resuming discussions on the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment;

~~Need for Regulatory Reforms~~

Amendment 60

The revision of the EU Customs Code is essential to better manage e-commerce imports. The draft report supports the Commission’s push for swift negotiations with the Parliament and Council, recognising the need for timely customs reform to enhance EU competitiveness and consumer protection.

Motion for a resolution

The establishment of a new EU Customs Authority and the EU Customs Data Hub will enhance coordination and provide vital support to national authorities in managing e-commerce-related imports. This initiative will equip customs authorities with the necessary tools to effectively monitor goods entering the EU, improving overall market oversight.

Paragraph 41 b (new)

~~A key reform is removing the customs duty exemption for goods under EUR 150, which will enhance consumer protection and boost EU competitiveness.~~

Motion for a resolution

Equally important is the ‘deemed importer’ concept, which holds economic operators accountable for the compliance of goods sold online from outside the EU. This ensures all e-commerce actors meet product safety standards and that platforms offering non-compliant goods are responsible for customs-related issues, further safeguarding consumers.

Amendment

~~The draft report also stresses the importance of simplifying and aligning the ‘deemed importer’ concept with existing legislation to ensure greater clarity and effectiveness.~~

41b. Highlights the need to consider service and product safety and regulatory compliance provisions when negotiating future EU trade agreements; stresses the importance of specific regulatory dialogues and cooperation through administrative arrangements, improved customs enforcement cooperation, the traceability of shipments to the highest standards and enhanced data-sharing arrangements between customs authorities to effectively tackle non-compliant imports;

~~Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Enforcement~~

Amendment 61

The integration of advanced technologies such as AI, blockchain, and IoT is essential for improving e-commerce regulation and market surveillance. These technologies can enhance the ability of customs and market surveillance authorities to monitor product listings, automate inspections, and perform risk assessments. However, the high costs of implementing such technologies, especially for low value goods, remain a barrier. Overcoming these challenges will be critical to improving the effectiveness of compliance checks without overburdening businesses.

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 41 c (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

41c. Expresses concern over the exponential growth of imports from very large online marketplaces, whose aggressive market entry tactics, enabled by a lack of transparency, severely distort competition within the EU; supports the Commission’s efforts to investigate the situation in cooperation with consumer organisations and consumer protection authorities; urges the Commission to be proactive and swiftly deploy targeted trade defence instruments, including anti-subsidy investigations, to address the adverse impacts on European businesses; emphasises that such actions must be coordinated closely with key international partners, including the United States, to ensure effective global enforcement and reciprocal market fairness; highlights that the Commission opened formal proceedings and requested more detailed information in 2024 and 2025 to assess whether online platforms Temu and Shein may have breached the DSA in areas linked, inter alia, to the sale of illegal products; calls on the Commission to share a preliminary assessment of these investigations with Parliament as soon as possible and to explain what steps it intends to take next;

Amendment 62

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 41 d (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

41d. Stresses the fact that some non-EU online marketplaces face numerous allegations regarding the use of forced labour and non-compliance with human rights; calls on the Commission and the Member States to step up enforcement of the EU’s social and environmental acquis, including on corporate sustainability due diligence and forced labour and through the implementation of the EU’s trade agreements, in light of the severe lack of controls; calls on the Commission and the Member States to prepare for the swift implementation of the Forced Labour Regulation1a; welcomes the Commission’s plan to create a database of forced labour risk areas or products to support competent authorities in assessing potential violations of this Regulation by 14 June 2026, and calls for its integration into the future Customs Data Hub; urges the Commission to publish the relevant guidelines by the same date, paying particular attention to electronic platforms; encourages customs authorities to use the database to develop and implement effective strategies to prioritise countries and regions for inspection;

__________

1a Regulation (EU) 2024/3015 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2024 on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937, OJ L, 2024/3015, 12.12.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/3015/oj.

Amendment 63

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 41 e (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

41e. Expresses deep concern over the unfair trade practices enabled by current customs loopholes, particularly the misuse of the EU’s EUR 150 de minimis exemption by major e-commerce retailers and platforms, leading to massive imports of undervalued goods that evade regulatory checks, distort competition, disadvantage European manufacturers and add to the overwhelming burden on transport operators;

Amendment 64

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 41 f (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

41f. Highlights the opportunity to diffuse the trade tensions with the United States by cooperating on customs policy in order to better protect people and companies from the rise of illegal and dangerous products being sold online and mostly shipped from China;

Amendment 65

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 41 g (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

41g. Encourages the Commission to enhance diplomatic efforts and cooperation within international forums, particularly the WTO, the WCO and the G7, to counterbalance China’s strategic expansion into digital governance frameworks, including its Digital Silk Road initiative; stresses the need for open, more transparent and responsible digital trade rules in international standard-setting bodies to prevent internet fragmentation and mitigate the risks posed by restrictive digital governance models;

Amendment 66

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 41 h (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

41h. Welcomes the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce as a vital step towards global digital trade rules; stresses, however, its current limitations, especially regarding customs transparency; urges the Commission to advocate stronger binding provisions to ensure its effective implementation and integration into the WTO legal framework, and to ensure enhanced global compliance standards;

Amendment 67

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 41 i (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

41i. Calls on the Commission and WTO members to prioritise bridging the digital divide, emphasising improvements in digital infrastructure, connectivity and internet access to ensure the inclusive participation of all WTO members in global e-commerce;

Amendment 68

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 41 j (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

41j. Emphasises the need for international capacity-building initiatives to support the sustainable and compliant participation of developing countries in digital trade; calls on the Commission to collaborate closely with international organisations, especially the WTO, to enhance regulatory frameworks and technical assistance for e-commerce in developing countries;

Amendment 69

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 41 k (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

41k. Calls on the Commission to proactively support technical assistance programmes and regulatory frameworks, in close cooperation with international organisations, particularly the WTO, focused on enhancing sustainable production, ecodesign criteria, extended producer responsibility schemes and circular economy principles; specifically advocates integrating ambitious sustainability standards into trade agreements, while prioritising the durability, recyclability and traceability of imported products;

ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT

Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur ~~declares~~for ~~that~~the heopinion received input from the following entities or persons in the preparation of the ~~draft report:~~opinion:

Entity and/or person

~~BEUC - The European Consumer Organisation~~

• Together Against Counterfeiting (TAC) Alliance

• Ecommerce Europe

~~Amazon~~

• Cdiscount

~~Lighting Europe~~

• Eurocommerce

~~Adevinta~~

• Shein

~~Orgalim~~

• BEUC

~~Wolt~~

• EuRIC Textiles

~~Nordic Commerce Coalition~~

The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur for the opinion.

~~Shein~~

Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur for the opinion declares that he has submitted to the concerned natural persons the European Parliament's Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.

~~Toy Industries Of Europe~~

INFORMATION ON ADOPTION BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

~~EuroCommerce~~

Date adopted

~~Allegro~~

15.5.2025

~~Together Against Counterfeiting (TAC) Alliance~~

Result of final vote

~~Geopost~~

~~Alibaba~~

–:

~~Directorate-General for Economic Inspection of Belgian FPS Economy (CPC network)~~

~~Market surveillance of Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy~~

~~Permanent Representation of the Netherlands to the EU~~

~~European Express Association~~

~~Markenverband e.V~~

Members present for the final vote

~~EBay~~

Christophe Bay, Brando Benifei, Lynn Boylan, Anna Bryłka, Udo Bullmann, Bart Groothuis, Karin Karlsbro, Bernd Lange, Ilia Lazarov, Thierry Mariani, Gabriel Mato, Javier Moreno Sánchez, Ştefan Muşoiu, Daniele Polato, Majdouline Sbai, Lukas Sieper, Dominik Tarczyński, Inese Vaidere, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Catarina Vieira, Jörgen Warborn, Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski, Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez

~~European Tech Alliance~~

Substitutes present for the final vote

~~Cdiscount~~

Petras Auštrevičius, Markus Buchheit, João Cotrim De Figueiredo, Fabio De Masi, Lina Gálvez, Jean-Marc Germain, Pierre Pimpie, Jessika Van Leeuwen

~~European Commission (DG GROW, DG TAXUD, DG CNECT, DG JUST)~~

Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote

~~Cabinet of Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič~~

Tobias Cremer, Niels Geuking, Cristina Guarda, Michalis Hadjipantela, Niels Flemming Hansen, Andreas Schwab

~~Cabinet of Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen~~

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

~~The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur.~~

Key to symbols:

Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur declares that he has submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament’s Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.