Business · Trade · 2 days ago
Sales at Shein, Temu and AliExpress fall 35.5% in Germany
Shein, Temu and AliExpress earned 35.5% less in Germany in the third quarter than in the same period a year earlier.
Their share of Germany’s online retail market fell from 5.3% in the second quarter to 3.1%.
The platforms sell many low-priced goods shipped from outside the European Union.
Until July, parcels worth up to €150 were exempt from customs charges.
Since the exemption ended, small parcels face a €3 charge, and a €2 handling fee is due to begin in November.
The EU says the measures are intended to curb large volumes of cheap imports.
Germany’s online retail market also slowed, growing 2.9% year on year in the third quarter, compared with just over 5% in the second quarter.
Sales by Shein, Temu and AliExpress in Germany fell 35.5% in the third quarter compared with the same period a year earlier.
The platforms’ revenue was reported at 566 million euros, and their combined share of German online retail fell to 3.1%.
The BEVH said the removal of the customs exemption for low-value parcels from outside the EU was a main reason for the decline.
A two-euro handling fee for shipments from outside the EU is due to take effect in November.
The BEVH said the EU should strengthen market surveillance and enforce existing rules to ensure fair competition.
- Who
- Shein, Temu and AliExpress, three Asian shopping platforms.
- What
- Their German sales fell 35.5% year on year in the third quarter, to 566 million euros.
- When
- The third quarter of 2026; the reports were published on October 9, 2026.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- The BEVH cited the removal in July of the customs exemption for parcels worth up to 150 euros from outside the EU.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The higher charges are significantly hurting low-margin, low-priced products from Asia.
To ensure fair competition, the EU must strengthen market surveillance authorities and enforce existing law.
The three platforms had a 5.3% share of German online retail.
The customs exemption for parcels worth up to 150 euros from outside the EU was removed.
The platforms’ sales fell 35.5% year on year and their market share dropped to 3.1%.
A two-euro handling fee for shipments from outside the EU is due to be introduced.
- Sales decline
- 35.5% year on year in the third quarter
- Revenue
- 566 million euros
- Platforms
- Shein, Temu and AliExpress
- Market share
- 3.1% in the third quarter, down from 5.3% in the second quarter
- Customs charge
- 3 euros per product category for parcels worth up to 150 euros
- Handling fee
- 2 euros from November
Sources
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