The New EU Duty: The End of Cheap Shopping from China

The End of Ultra-Cheap Goods from Asia. Is Shopping from China Still Worth It? – CONTENTS

1. What changes from 1 July 2026?
2. A model example: Why the maths of shopping from Asia no longer adds up
3. Comparison table: is the purchase still worth it?
4. What hidden risks can cheap purchases from Asia bring?
5. 5 reasons to bet on certainty

What changes from 1 July 2026?

Until now, a simple rule applied: if the value of a shipment from abroad did not exceed €150, no customs duty was payable and at most you had to deal with VAT. It was precisely thanks to this that ordering small items from Temu, Shein or AliExpress was worthwhile. A parcel costing a few dozen euros with free shipping was a completely common thing. That era is now definitively coming to an end.

From 1 July 2026, the European Union is abolishing the existing exemption and introducing a flat-rate customs duty of €3 on each tariff item in a shipment. For small items costing €1 to €2, this flat fee can make up the majority of the final price. On top of the duty itself, 20% VAT is always added, calculated on the customs value of the goods including the duty.

According to the European Commission, the main reason for introducing the new duty is the enormous increase in the number of small shipments from Asia. Over four billion of them arrive in the EU every year, the vast majority coming from China. The aim is to level the playing field for European retailers and to limit imports of goods that often fail to meet European safety and environmental standards.

A model example: Why the maths of shopping from Asia no longer adds up

To get an idea of how a purchase will actually change, a simple example is enough. Let's say you want to order a protective glass for your phone, a kitchen storage container and a car organiser – three different items from different categories costing around €8 in total.

Until 30 June 2026, you would only pay the price of the goods themselves and shipping for such a purchase, plus possibly a small amount of VAT. From 1 July, however, a duty of €3 will be added to the price of each item, plus 20% VAT on this increased value. For three different categories of goods, the additional fee can thus easily climb to around €10, i.e. roughly as much as the purchase itself cost. A parcel that used to delight you with its low price suddenly becomes an order that hurts your wallet instead — and on top of that, you still have to deal with customs proceedings.

Comparison table: is the purchase still worth it?

The following table shows how, after the introduction of the new duty, the price advantage of buying from Asian marketplaces changes compared with buying from a Slovak e-shop.

^{*The prices shown are model figures for guidance only. They are based on average market prices in May 2026 and the calculation of the new flat-rate duty under the approved EU regulation. ** Average prices in the given categories are based on the cheapest goods in our e-shop as of 16 June 2026.}

As you can see, in many categories the price difference between an Asian marketplace and a Slovak e-shop is practically disappearing – and that is before factoring in the risk of complaints, longer delivery times or uncertainty around customs proceedings.

What hidden risks can cheap purchases from Asia bring?

Price is not the only criterion by which small goods should be judged. With cheap products from unverified sources, there can also be problems with quality, safety and health compliance. This does not mean that every product from an Asian marketplace must automatically be bad. The risk is higher, however, because the customer often does not know who the actual manufacturer is, which standards the product meets, and whether it has been checked for the European market.

Health safety

With kitchen storage containers, organisers, silicone moulds, children's accessories or pet supplies, it matters what material they are made of. Products intended for the European market must meet stricter requirements for health safety, chemical content and safe contact with food. However, many products from Asian marketplaces often do not go through the European REACH regulation, which limits the amount of harmful substances in plastics and other materials. With unverified products, the problem may lie, for example, in the use of low-quality plastics, plasticisers or materials unsuitable for long-term contact with food. For household products, it therefore pays to watch not only the price, but also the origin, certification and intended use of the product.

Electronics safety

With chargers, USB cables, adapters, LED bulbs or car electronics, a low price can mean compromises in design and protection. A poor-quality cable may not handle the declared current, a cheap adapter may lack reliable overheating protection, and with car accessories, stability in the vehicle's electrical system can also be an issue. In practice, this means a real risk of short circuits, overheating or damage to your phone. The European CE certification is not just a sticker on the packaging – it is a manufacturer's declaration that the product meets the requirements of European legislation. With goods from unverified marketplaces, however, it can be difficult to verify whether the marking is genuine and whether the product has actually undergone the corresponding checks.

Material quality

With cheap tools, car holders, organisers or office supplies, the difference often only shows up during use. A screwdriver made of soft alloy can bend or strip a screw. A plastic phone holder can become deformed in a hot car in summer. Cheap office supplies can have a short lifespan and poorer workmanship. A product that looks similar at first glance may therefore not offer the same utility value. If a product only lasts a few uses, the actual cost of ownership may in fact be higher than with a better-quality alternative.

5 reasons to bet on certainty

With the introduction of the new duty, the difference between buying from Asia and buying from a trusted Slovak e-shop is shrinking noticeably. Here are five reasons why, more than ever before, it pays to shop with us.

1. Immediate availability: We deliver goods within 24–48 hours, instead of weeks of waiting and hassle with customs clearance.
2. Guaranteed safety: All products in our e-shop meet European standards and certifications – they are safe for your health and your electronics.
3. The right to make a mistake: With small goods, it is easy to pick the wrong type of cable, an unsuitable size of protective glass, or a holder that does not fit your car. When shopping with us, you have the statutory right to return goods within 14 days, as well as a full 2-year warranty – without having to send the parcel back to Asia at your own expense.
4. Great-value multipacks: Our private labels such as AlzaPower, Siguro or AlzaTools offer a low price per piece without you having to pay customs duty on each item separately. The result is a fair price, fast delivery and less to worry about.
5. Less packaging, less unnecessary waste: Everything arrives in one box, not in ten plastic envelopes arriving gradually over several weeks. It is more practical for you and kinder to the environment.

After 1 July 2026, buying small items from Asian marketplaces stops being an automatic win. The customs duty on goods from China and other non-EU countries will make almost every order more expensive, and the higher price comes with the same risks as before – questionable quality, missing certification and complicated complaint procedures. Risking your time, health, electronics and now also your money simply no longer pays off. You can conveniently find quality, affordable alternatives with us.