Third-country e-commerce boom alarms Europe

BRUSSELS - The German Retail Association (HDE), the German Tax Union (DSTG), and the Federal Association of Consumer Organisations (VZBV) have released a joint position paper, which outlines measures to address critical issues, from tax evasion to product safety, and calls for stronger regulatory enforcement to protect the EU market.

Third-country e-commerce platforms, which shipped four billion packages to consumers in the EU in 2024, are introducing new practices that have been accompanied by growing concerns over tax evasion, product safety, and consumer protection.