Ecommerce weekly report · 2026 · Week 41 · 10.05 — 10.11
Blues19 News
EU Abolishes Customs Duty Exemption for Small Parcels; U.S. CBP Proposes Changes to Low-Value Goods Entry Declarations
This edition covers October 5–11, 2026. Compliance and platform governance are this week's main themes: reforms to the EU's new Union Customs Code are moving toward implementation, abolishing the customs duty exemption for parcels valued below €150 and designating platforms such as Amazon, Temu, SHEIN, and AliExpress as deemed importers. These platforms must collect VAT and customs duties at checkout and bear ultimate responsibility for the accuracy of declarations and CE certification. On October 8, U.S. CBP published the proposed rule "Low-Value Shipment of Goods," proposing changes to informal entry declaration requirements for goods valued at $2,500 or less and introducing electronic Entry Type 13 declarations for postal shipments. Comments are open until December 7, 2026. After Germany abolished the €150 duty-free threshold, the combined third-quarter revenue of Temu, Shein, and AliExpress in Germany fell 35.5% year over year to €566 million, with their combined market share declining from 5.3% in the second quarter to 3.1%. On the platform side, multiple Amazon European marketplaces and its Canadian marketplace have uniformly required service providers to complete business verification since September 1, with authorization validity changed to 365 days. AWD expanded to five European countries on August 20, and AGL launched a direct ocean less-than-container-load service from Tianjin. On the macroeconomic front, the U.S. dollar fell below 6.7 against the renminbi to 6.6944, conflict in the Middle East pushed Brent crude to $105.16 per barrel, and the IEA supported accelerating reserve releases.
EU eliminates exemption for low-value parcels
Section overviewThe reform proposal for the revised Union Customs Code is moving toward implementation, eliminating the customs duty exemption for parcels valued below €150 and requiring all goods entering the EU to be subject to customs duties and VAT. The new legislation introduces a deemed importer framework, directly designating platforms such as Amazon, Temu, SHEIN and AliExpress as deemed importers. They must collect VAT and customs duties at checkout and bear ultimate responsibility for the accuracy of declarations and compliance with requirements such as CE certification. The Official Journal of the European Union also published a corrigendum to Regulation (UE) 2026/2108, amending Article 33(3) to clarify the conditions under which an indirect customs representative is deemed to be the importer. The German Brands Association, HDE and vzbv jointly called for the first time for stricter rules under the European Product Act, demanding that all merchants selling products in Europe be held accountable in Europe.
AMZ123 Cross-Border Headlines10.07EU Advances New Customs Code Reforms, Abolishing Duty Exemption for Parcels Below €150
Reforms to the EU's new Union Customs Code are moving toward implementation, abolishing the customs duty exemption for parcels valued below €150. All goods entering the EU will be subject to customs duties and VAT. The new law introduces a deemed importer system, directly designating platforms such as Amazon, Temu, SHEIN, and AliExpress as deemed importers. They must collect VAT and customs duties at checkout and bear ultimate responsibility for compliance, including the accuracy of declarations and CE certification. The reforms also plan to establish a unified central digital customs data hub to gradually replace the separate systems of individual member states. Complete electronic declaration data must be submitted before entry and checked against the physical goods in real time.
EU corrects Article 33(3) of the new Customs Code, clarifying the conditions under which an indirect customs representative is regarded as the importer
The Official Journal of the EU has published a corrigendum to Regulation (EU) 2026/2108, amending Article 33(3): an indirect customs representative acting in its own name but on behalf of an importer or exporter established (originally: not established) outside the EU customs territory is regarded as that importer or exporter.
German Brand Association, HDE and vzbv jointly call for tighter regulation of low-priced imported goods
The German Brand Association, the German Retail Association HDE and the consumer association vzbv have, for the first time, jointly called on the German government to push for stricter rules in the European Product Act, requiring that all merchants selling products in Europe can be held accountable in Europe.
Germany’s Removal of the Duty-Free Threshold Hits Platforms
Section overviewGermany’s bevh released its first verifiable figures following the removal of the €150 duty-free threshold: combined third-quarter revenue for Shein, Temu, and AliExpress in Germany fell 35.5% year on year to €566 million, while their combined market share declined from 5.3% in the second quarter to 3.1%. Meanwhile, Germany’s HDE released its October Consumer Barometer, showing that consumer confidence had deteriorated significantly after a brief recovery. Willingness to buy and income expectations weakened markedly, with consumers expecting disposable income to fall and inflation to continue rising. Higher energy and fuel prices weighed on sentiment. Low-price platforms saw both demand and market share contract in Germany.
After Germany abolishes the €150 tax-free allowance, Temu, Shein and AliExpress see third-quarter revenue fall 35.5%
German bevh provides the first verifiable data after the abolition of the €150 tax-free allowance: in the third quarter, Shein, Temu and AliExpress saw their German revenue fall 35.5% year on year to €566 million, and the three platforms' combined market share dropped from 5.3% in the second quarter to 3.1%.
German HDE October consumer barometer: consumer confidence deteriorates significantly
German HDE has published its October consumer barometer: consumer confidence has deteriorated significantly after a brief recovery earlier, and remains clearly below the level of the same period last year, with no sign of recovery in private consumption. The propensity to buy and income expectations have weakened markedly, with consumers expecting disposable income to fall and inflation to continue rising, while higher energy and fuel prices are acting as a drag; the fact that the propensity to save has not risen further is one of the few positive signals.
U.S. CBP proposes changes to low-value shipment declarations
Section overviewOn October 8, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published a proposed rule titled “Low-Value Shipments” in the Federal Register, with public comments open until December 7, 2026. The proposal would revise informal entry filing requirements for goods valued at $2,500 or less and introduce a new electronic informal entry filing category, Entry Type 13, for postal shipments. The proposed rule remains a draft, and no final effective date has been determined.
AMZ123 Cross-Border Headlines10.09US CBP publishes draft new rules for low-value goods entry, proposing a new postal-only Entry Type 13
US Customs and Border Protection published a proposed rule on "Low-Value Shipments" in the Federal Register on October 8, open for public comment until December 7, 2026, proposing to adjust informal entry declaration requirements for goods valued at $2,500 or less and to create a new electronic informal entry declaration Entry Type 13 for the postal channel.
Amazon service provider verification and warehousing expansion
Section overviewStarting September 1, 2026, Amazon marketplaces in Canada, Italy, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France and other countries uniformly revised how service providers access Seller Central. Agencies, freelancers and virtual assistants must complete enterprise verification—described as business verification in some marketplaces—before their access can be reauthorized. Authorizations are now valid for 365 days, with renewal notifications sent before expiration by email and through the Seller Central Action Center. On the warehousing and logistics side, Amazon AWD expanded to Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom on August 20 and began accepting inbound shipments on August 17. European storage fees are approximately €11.09 per cubic meter per month, based on pre-launch pricing announced as of July 2026, and remain fixed throughout the year with no peak-season or long-term inventory surcharges. AGL launched a direct standard ocean less-than-container-load service from Tianjin (CNTXG), with shipments available to 10 U.S. ports as well as Rotterdam and Felixstowe.
Amazon Canada upgrades security mechanism for service provider access to Seller Central
Starting September 1, 2026, Amazon Canada is upgrading the mechanism for service provider access to Seller Central: agencies, freelancers or virtual assistants must complete business verification before they can access seller accounts, and the authorization validity period is changed to 365 days, with notification before expiry.
Amazon Italy updates rules for service provider access to Seller Central
Starting September 1, 2026, Amazon Italy is updating the way service providers access Seller Central. Agencies, freelancers or virtual assistants must complete business verification in order to renew service authorization. Service provider authorizations are valid for 365 days, and before expiry Amazon will notify them to renew via email and the Seller Central Action Center; if not renewed by the deadline, the service provider will lose account access, and sellers can restore access or update or revoke authorization at any time.
Amazon Germany requires service providers to complete business verification, with authorization expiring after 365 days
Starting September 1, 2026, Amazon Germany is adjusting the way service providers access Seller Central accounts. Each agency operation provider, freelancer or virtual assistant must first complete business verification in order to regain authorization. Authorizations are valid for 365 days, and before expiry sellers will receive notifications via email and the Seller Central Action Center, and can choose whether to renew and set specific permissions themselves. If not renewed before the expiry date, the service provider will lose account access, and sellers can restore, update or revoke authorization at any time.
Amazon Spain updates rules for service provider access to Seller Central
Starting September 1, 2026, Amazon Spain is updating the rules for service provider access to sellers' Seller Central accounts. Each agency operation provider, independent service provider or virtual assistant must complete business verification before regaining authorization. The new rules include an access authorization validity period of 365 days, notification before expiry, and the ability for sellers to choose the specific permissions granted. If not reauthorized before the expiry date, the service provider will lose account access and stop providing services, and sellers can restore access or update or revoke permissions at any time.
Amazon Netherlands upgrades security measures for service provider access to Seller Central
Starting September 1, 2026, Amazon Netherlands is upgrading the way service providers access sellers' Seller Central accounts. Every agency, freelancer, or virtual assistant helping manage Amazon businesses must complete business verification before regaining service authorization.
Amazon UK upgrades security mechanism for service provider access to Seller Central
Starting September 1, 2026, Amazon UK has upgraded the way service providers access sellers' Seller Central accounts: every agency, freelancer, or virtual assistant must complete business verification before regaining authorization.
Amazon France strengthens security verification for service provider access to Seller Central
Starting September 1, 2026, Amazon France is improving the way service providers access sellers' Seller Central accounts. Every agency, freelancer, or virtual assistant helping manage Amazon businesses must complete business verification before regaining the authorization corresponding to the services they provide.
RYS Agency European Platform Operations10.10Amazon AWD warehousing service expands to five European countries on August 20, 2026
Amazon AWD launched on August 20, 2026 in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the UK, began accepting inbound inventory on August 17, and provides bulk inventory storage and automatic replenishment for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). The European storage fees listed in the article are approximately EUR 11.09 per cubic meter per month, a pre-launch price published as of July 2026, fixed year-round with no peak-season or long-term storage surcharges, but the total cost also includes inbound, handling, and transfer fees.
Combined currency and energy volatility
Section overviewThe USD/CNY exchange rate fell below 6.7 and stood at 6.6944 at the time of publication, having declined steadily from 7.0 since January this year. October coincides with major promotional campaigns on cross-border platforms and the period when sellers receive payments and pay domestic costs. Sellers serving the U.S. market collect payments in U.S. dollars and pay costs in renminbi. On energy, Saudi Aramco CEO Nasser said the world has lost nearly 3 billion barrels of supply since the 2026 Iran war, and replenishing inventories could take up to two years even if the Strait of Hormuz fully reopens. Multiple explosions occurred in Riyadh on October 8, with Brent crude futures rising 5% to $105.16 per barrel and U.S. benchmark crude rising 5.1% to $92.75 per barrel. IEA member countries supported accelerating the release of oil reserves under the collective action announced in March 2026, prioritizing diesel. Approximately 325 million barrels had been released by the time of the meeting.
AMZ123 Cross-Border Headlines10.09USD exchange rate falls below 6.7, multiple listed cross-border sellers post nearly RMB 100 million in first-half foreign exchange losses
The USD/CNY exchange rate has fallen below the 6.7 mark, standing at 6.6944 as of publication. Since January this year, the USD exchange rate has declined all the way from 7.0. October coincides with the window for major cross-border platform promotions and for sellers to receive payments and pay domestic costs. US-route sellers receive payment in USD and pay costs in RMB, so exchange rate fluctuations directly erode profits.
Tech Times Technology and Industry Trends10.06Saudi Aramco CEO warns rebuilding global oil reserves will take two years
Saudi Aramco CEO Nasser said at the Energy Intelligence Forum in London that since the 2026 Iran war, nearly 3 billion barrels of supply have been lost globally, and even if the Strait of Hormuz fully reopens, restocking will take as long as two years, with high crude and diesel prices potentially lasting until the end of 2028.
Transport Topics: Transportation Tariffs and Compliance10.08Explosions in Saudi capital, Brent crude rises 5% to USD 105.16
Multiple explosions were reported in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, on October 8, one of which occurred at Riyadh airport and caused flight suspensions. No party has claimed responsibility. Affected by this, Brent crude oil futures rose 5% to USD 105.16 per barrel, and the US benchmark crude rose 5.1% to USD 92.75 per barrel. Escalating fighting around the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait has disrupted shipping, while Iran is simultaneously targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Rising oil prices have intensified global inflationary pressure, including in the United States.
IEA energy, minerals, and supply security developmentsFirst-party10.07IEA member countries support accelerating the release of oil reserves and prioritizing diesel
At a meeting, IEA member governments supported accelerating the release of oil reserves announced in the collective action of March 2026, striving to complete it as soon as possible, and supported releasing diesel reserves on a priority basis as much as possible given the tight diesel market. As of the meeting, the collective action had released about 325 million barrels of oil, with some countries releasing more than their initial commitments; if all committed but not yet released reserves were put on the market, it would add about 100 million barrels.
- 2026-W40China and U.S. cut tariffs on $60 billion worth of goods and extend trade truce
- 2026-W39Amazon expands $1 million liability insurance requirement as Strait of Hormuz traffic plunges
- 2026-W38U.S. shipping rates near peak as EU compliance measures roll out in quick succession
- 2026-W37Houthis take control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait; oil tops $100
- 2026-W36EU Customs Reform Assigns Liability to Platforms; Typhoon Disruptions Hit Shanghai and Ningbo Ports