Belgian online retailers call for measures against Chinese platforms

Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Temu and Shein are extremely popular, but according to their Belgian competitors, they do not follow the rules. “Belgian and European web shops that closely follow the regulations have to compete with providers that do not comply with EU rules and can therefore offer their products cheaper,” says Becom managing director Greet Dekocker.

According to Dekocker, the Chinese send the individual parcels bundled, for example, which means that they cannot all be checked in Europe. Becom also refers to a paper by VUB professor Jonathan Holslag, who described how customs was not prepared for the “tsunami” of Chinese parcels at Liège airport.

Becom is asking for European regulations to be adjusted so that checks can be carried out more effectively. Chinese manufacturers and platforms should also be subject to additional information obligations, the federation believes. Customs checks should be stepped up in Belgium.