The Greek e-Commerce Association (GR.EC.A) has put forward a bold proposal: a national fee of 7 euros on every imported parcel arriving from non-EU countries, with platforms like Shein and Temu clearly in its sights.
The association argues that international marketplaces are flooding Greece with ultra-cheap products that often fail to meet safety standards, distorting competition and leaving domestic businesses struggling to survive.
According to GR.EC.A, the playing field is far from level. Non-EU sellers are not taxed under the same rules as Greek and European companies, giving them an unfair price advantage. The result, the group warns, has already caused serious damage to the local retail ecosystem.
Other European countries have already taken action. France and Romania, for instance, have introduced national fees on incoming parcels, creating a financial buffer to protect their domestic businesses from the onslaught of bargain-basement imports.
GR.EC.A’s proposal mirrors these examples: impose a flat 7 euros charge per package shipped from outside the EU. The association argues that such a measure would discourage the current flood of low-cost imports, shield small and medium-sized enterprises, and, importantly, channel valuable revenue back into the Greek economy.
GR.EC.A insists the fee’s proceeds must be earmarked exclusively for the digital transformation of Greek businesses and for strengthening their online presence abroad. With access to modern tools and know-how, local companies could finally compete on equal terms in a globalized and fiercely competitive market.
The message to the government is unequivocal: action is not optional, it’s essential. Greek businesses, GR.EC.A stresses, can no longer afford the price of inaction. Establishing the national fee would not only protect entrepreneurship but also restore fair competition and pave the way for a sustainable business future.
Source: tovima.com
