UK Retailers Warn Delay on Low-Value Import Reform Could Favor China E-commerce Parcels
What Happened
UK retailers are warning that a delayed reform of the country’s low-value import rules could keep giving overseas e-commerce sellers an advantage. The Times reported on June 15 that retailers are concerned the UK could become a destination for more low-cost imported goods while reform is delayed.
The Current UK Low-Value Import Rule
Under current UK rules, commercial imports valued at £135 or less can claim customs duty relief. The UK government has announced that this relief will be removed, with new customs arrangements expected to take effect by March 2029 at the latest.
The government says the reform is needed because low-value import volumes have increased significantly and the current rules no longer reflect the scale of modern e-commerce trade.
Why It Matters for China E-commerce Sellers
The issue directly affects China-origin direct-to-consumer parcels. Reuters reported in May that UK retailers had asked the government to impose an urgent £2.60 customs duty on low-value overseas parcels, arguing that platforms such as Shein, Temu, AliExpress and Amazon Haul benefit from the current customs waiver on parcels worth less than £135.
For China-based sellers, the delay means the UK market may remain attractive for direct parcel shipping in the short term. But sellers should prepare for future changes to customs data, duties, parcel fees and marketplace compliance.
What Shippers Should Watch
Sellers shipping from China to the UK should monitor the final reform plan, review product-level customs classifications, and compare direct parcel shipping with bulk freight to UK warehouses. As customs rules tighten in the U.S., EU and UK, overseas warehousing may become more important for sellers that need faster delivery and more predictable landed costs.
English
Arabic
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Vietnamese