The number of parcels from China increased strongly in 2025
Customs’ statistics* show that the number of consignments from outside the EU continued to increase sharply in 2025. The number increased by 46 per cent from the previous year – from 27.8 million consignments to 40.5 million. The commerce sector expects the government to take significant measures to address the unhealthy competition.
In Finland, the number of consignments from outside the EU increased by 46 per cent and was 40.5 million in 2025. 98.5 per cent of the consignments came from China. According to Customs, the average value of a low-value consignment from China was EUR 5.53.
“The rapid increase in the number of parcels from China poses serious challenges for the European internal market and Finnish commerce companies: it distorts competition between companies, jeopardises consumer safety and makes the implementation of the circular economy more difficult. The financial impacts affect society as a whole in the form of a loss of tax revenue and jobs,” says Kari Luoto, Managing Director of the Finnish Commerce Federation.
The problem has been identified at the EU level and solutions are being sought. The EU Council has decided to temporarily introduce a fixed customs duty of EUR 3 as of 1 July 2026. The customs duty will apply to shipments worth less than EUR 150 sent by marketplaces from outside the EU to European consumers. The temporary customs duty will remain in force until the EUR 150 duty-free limit, in accordance with the customs reform, is permanently removed. At the moment, low-value items still arrive in the European Union duty-free, which leads to unfair competition for stores operating in Europe.
“The Finnish Commerce Federation welcomes the fixed EUR 3 customs duty per consignment, but it is not enough to ensure equal competitive conditions. We need changes to EU-level legislation, especially regarding the obligations of platforms, so that all operators will comply with the same rules,” says Luoto.
The Finnish Commerce Federation has required that the unhealthy competitive position must also be influenced through national measures. Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen set up a working group at the end of November to find solutions to problems related to cheap imports.
The commerce sector expects the government to take significant measures to address the situation. Actions are already being taken at the EU level, but national measures are also needed.
For further information, please contact: Kari Luoto, Managing Director, Finnish Commerce Federation, kari.luoto@kauppa.fi, tel. +358 400 688 708.
See also: 11 September, Chinese junk will be expensive for society – we will lose tax revenue and jobs (link)
*Customs’ statistics: https://tilastot.tulli.fi/ajankohtaista-tilastoista/eun_ulkopuolinen_etamyynti