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Question for written answer  E-001907/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Tobiasz Bocheński (ECR)

The Commission plans to eliminate the current relief from customs duties for consignments from outside the EU with a value of less than EUR 150. Currently, such consignments are subject to VAT but not customs duties. The aim of the planned reform is to reduce the practice of under-declaring the value of goods in order to avoid customs duties and to strengthen fair competition in the EU market.

As part of its work on the reform of the Customs Union, the Commission foresees that all consignments from outside the EU will be subject to customs duties, regardless of their value. The current proposed date for the entry into force of these amendments is 1 March 2028.

Bearing in mind the interests of the European e-commerce industry and the need to tighten up the system for collecting customs duties and VAT on imports, I would ask you to answer the following question:

Is the Commission in a position to speed up the implementation of the proposed amendments, in particular the abolition of the EUR 150 customs threshold, so that they can be introduced as early as January 2026?

Submitted: 13.5.2025

As the Commission pointed out in its answer to the written questions P-001801/2019[1], P-003709/2017[2], E-001443/2017[3] and E-001484/2017[4], the Commission does not have a position on the issue of assisted dying. Responsibility for healthcare, including care for terminally ill patients as well as related ethical questions, rests with the Member States.

Therefore, the Commission has no general powers to intervene with the Member States in this area.

• [1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-8-2019-001801_EN.html .
• [2] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-8-2017-003709_EN.html .
• [3] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-8-2017-001443_EN.html .
• [4] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-8-2017-001484_EN.html .

The purpose of the regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH)[1] is to ensure high level of protection of human health and the environment, as well as the free movement of substances, competitiveness and innovation. The efficient functioning of the internal market for substances can be achieved only if applicable requirements do not differ significantly between Member States. However, as confirmed by the European Free Trade Association Court in case E-9/16[2], in cases where the manufacture, placing on the market or use of a substance is not yet harmonised (i.e. no restriction) Member States may maintain or adopt national rules[3] provided the REACH restriction process is also initiated.

To address the concerns raised by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, some Member States have initiated national measures to restrict some uses of PFAS. While the Commission shares these concerns, it considers that such measures are more efficient if taken at EU level by the established restriction procedure supported by a solid assessment by the scientific committees of the European Chemicals Agency. This process would avoid disruption of the internal market and guarantee all EU citizens an equally high level of protection.

A broad PFAS restriction dossier has been prepared by five national authorities. The European Chemicals Agency’s committees must finalise their opinions on this dossier before the Commission can prepare its proposal to restrict PFAS in the EU. As also confirmed in the above-mentioned Court case, after adoption of an EU restriction, Member States need to align with the harmonised legislation.

The Commission is carefully following all measures at national level to assess their relevance for future policy development.

• [1] Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC, OJ L 396, 30.12.2006.
• [2] https://eftacourt.int/download/9-16-judgment/?wpdmdl=1804 ; https://eftacourt.int/download/9-16-judgment/?wpdmdl=1804.
• [3] Cf REACH Article 128(2).

In order to ensure a high level of protection of human and animal health and the environment, the European Food Safety Authority carries out a thorough risk assessment before genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are authorised, which includes aspects related to long term safety. Following the granting of authorisations, GMOs need to be traced and labelled as such when released in the environment or placed on the EU market. Monitoring plans and renewal procedures (as all authorisations are limited in time) ensure that new information is assessed.

Over the last two decades since GMO authorisations have been granted in the EU, no safety issues have emerged and no measures -such as withdrawal or suspension- had to be applied based on evidence of risks to human or animal health or to the environment[1]. Therefore, the Commission considers the current measures adequate in order to protect farmers and producers and ensure transparency.

At the same time, as research evolves in this field and in order to update detection and traceability tools in line with scientific developments and innovative technologies in breeding , specific projects[2] have been funded under the Horizon Europe programme.

• [1] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2003/1829/oj, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2003/1830/oj.
• [2] Detection of NGT products to promote innovation in Europe | DETECTIVE https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101137025 ; Transition to safe & sustainable food systems through new & innovative detection methods & digital solutions for plant-based products derived from new genomic techniques, under a co-creation approach | DARWIN https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101136462 ; New detection methods on products derived from new genomic techniques for traceability, transparency and innovation in the food system https://cordis.europa.eu/programme/id/HORIZON_HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-11/en.

1. The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) enables the EU to achieve its climate targets at the lowest cost by allowing the market to set the carbon price. It also has in-built features to protect industries such as steel from carbon leakage (displacement of production and emissions to outside the EU). These include free allocation of emission allowances, the possibility of state aid to compensate indirect carbon costs for electro-intensive production (such as electric arc furnaces), and the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

As such, the Commission has no plans to suspend the ETS, but is preparing a comprehensive review of the ETS Directive by 31 July 2026, as required under the existing Directive.

2. Steel overcapacity continues to grow across regions, as evidenced in the latest review of the steel safeguard measure. Tackling unfair trade remains a priority for the Commission and it is fully committed to ensuring a robust use of trade defence instruments. The Commission will continue to take all necessary measures to protect the steel industry against unfair and injurious trading practices. In addition, an increasing number of trade barriers are being erected in many third countries. Therefore, the European Steel and Metals Action Plan[1] announced that by the third quarter of 2025 at the latest, the Commission will propose a long-term measure providing a highly effective level of protection to the EU’s steel sector. It will take into account changes in EU demand as well as security and resilience considerations, while preserving a certain level of openness in the EU market. The Commission will also conduct by the end of 2025 a comprehensive review of CBAM, accompanied by an anti-circumvention strategy.

• [1] https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/publications/european-steel-and-metals-action-plan_en.

The Commission’s annual Enlargement package reports[1] cover the state of preparedness and progress made, including on all rule of law aspects, which are fundamental to the accession process. The reports cover all candidate countries and the potential candidate. They provide guidance to the enlargement countries on reform priorities for the year ahead.

The inclusion of some enlargement countries in the annual Rule of law report exercise alongside Member States strengthens the EU support for rule of law reforms, supports their accession process and helps maintain a sustainable pattern of high standards after accession. The two exercises are therefore complementary.

The Commission maintains a broader dialogue with the enlargement countries on all elements related to the fundamentals of the accession process. Preparation of the Rule of law reports for the enlargement countries is done in a coordinated manner with the services of the Commissioner for Enlargement who are also responsible for preparing the annual Enlargement package. Close coordination between the different services, together with cross-referencing assessments made in the Enlargement package reports, ensures consistency in messaging to partners.

The upcoming Rule of law report exercise for 2025 will cover the same set of countries as in 2024. The selection is based on their state of preparations as well as progress in the formal accession process . The methodology whereby recommendations for enlargement countries are included only in the Enlargement package will be maintained.

• [1] https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/strategy-and-reports_en.

The EU closely monitors developments in South Africa, including legislative proposals and acts adopted. This includes the Expropriation Act (Act number 13 of 2024), which was passed by the previous South African parliament and assented to by the President of the Republic of South Africa on 20 December 2024. It will enter into force on a date to be determined by the President of South Africa. The Act is currently the subject of court proceedings in South Africa.

The EU follows the discussions that take place in relation to this Act. The EU will continue to monitor developments and, if deemed relevant, raise the issue with South Africa within relevant bilateral fora, such as those concerning political and human rights dialogue, which exist between the EU and South Africa as part of the strategic partnership.

Under Article 8 of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument — Global Europe Regulation[1], the EU is required to comply with and promote the principles of respect for the rule of law in all its interventions. Through Global Gateway, the EU aims to embed democratic principles, good governance, and transparency in all investments. In each country, the EU assesses whether the necessary preconditions for investment are in place, including those related to the rule of law.

• [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32021R0947.

The use of Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) would allow for flexibility on certain intermediate steps in the enlargement process such as the opening of clusters. The final decision on accession would still be taken by all Member States unanimously. The Commission stands ready to engage with Member States to explore ways to apply QMV to some aspects of the enlargement process.

Gradual integration of Ukraine into the single market ahead of EU accession is a priority of the Commission[1]. In the energy sector, the Commission is working to facilitate Ukraine’s electricity market integration with the EU by spring 2027 as well as further integration in the EU gas sector. Priorities for Ukraine’s integration into the EU security and defence sector are defined in the recently adopted White Paper for European Defence — Readiness 2030[2]. In addition, the new Security Action for Europe instrument would allow the Ukrainian defence industry to participate in collaborative procurements on the same footing as EU-based industry. Gradual integration is a useful tool supporting integration of enlargement partners in the EU through alignment with the EU acquis and early participation in some EU policies and processes. Nevertheless, this approach must be coupled, where appropriate, with robust institutional safeguards to guarantee both the uniform interpretation and implementation of EU law and the capacity to address non-compliance effectively. As part of the screening process, enlargement partners can express their interest in participating in the work of EU bodies as observers. The Commission then issues recommendations to this end, as part of the screening report.

• [1] As laid out in the new Priority Action Plan for Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area implementation (2025-2026).
• [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025JC0120.

The Common Provisions Regulation[1], requires Member States to meet horizontal enabling conditions (HECs), one of which relates to the effective mechanisms for ensuring compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights[2]. Greece, as all Member States, must demonstrate HEC compliance at the programme’s adoption and throughout its implementation.

• [1] Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy, OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159-706.
• [2] Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, OJ C 326, 26.10.2012, p. 391-407.