New EU Customs Fees Set to Reshape Slovak Shopping on Temu and AliExpress

New customs charges on low-value goods imported from outside the European Union are prompting Slovak consumers to reconsider their shopping habits on popular Asian e-commerce platforms such as Temu and AliExpress. The changes come as two-thirds of Slovaks have made at least one purchase on such foreign online platforms in the past year, reflecting how deeply embedded these services have become in everyday consumer behavior. Until recently, packages valued under 22 euros were exempt from import duties when entering the EU, making Chinese-based platforms highly competitive on price. The EU has since abolished that exemption, meaning all imported goods — regardless of value — are now subject to VAT and potentially customs duties, significantly raising the effective cost of low-priced items that shoppers previously ordered in large numbers. The shift is expected to erode the price advantage that platforms like Temu and AliExpress have long held over domestic and European retailers, potentially redirecting consumer spending toward local alternatives.