The taskforce's mission is to develop strong measures: combat unfair trade practices, strengthen the competitiveness of our businesses, increase controls, improve cooperation between authorities and guarantee that only safe and compliant products circulate on the European market. It brings together stakeholders from the various cabinets and administrations involved (Economy, SMEs, Finance, Digitalisation, Consumer Protection).
In 2024, nearly a billion parcels passed through Belgium. Today, this massive flow of parcels escapes all controls. These imported products cause lost revenue, mainly in our country's textile, cosmetics and toy sectors, and can pose a danger to the public because they are not subject to the same product safety standards.
David Clarinval, Minister for the Economy: “I want to act quickly to defend our economic fabric, ensure the competitiveness of our businesses and restore fair competitive conditions. I had promised that we would tackle the problem by bringing the relevant stakeholders together to take strong, coordinated measures. The avalanche of small parcels could increase further due to the customs measures taken by Donald Trump. China could indeed favour the European market in the face of the European Union's customs policy.”
Competitive distortion
Minister Clarinval supports the proposal by European Commissioner Sefcovic to tax low-value parcels (under 150 euros) from countries outside the European Union at 2 euros.
This model of e-commerce, based on massive, low-quality imports, directly threatens our economy: it destroys local jobs, undermines business competitiveness, discourages innovation and jeopardises value creation in Europe. Certain foreign platforms exploit our markets while circumventing our rules. They flood Belgium with non-compliant, untaxed and sometimes dangerous products. Meanwhile, our businesses comply with European standards. This gap creates an intolerable distortion of competition.
The aim is not to stifle e-commerce, which is a lever for the competitiveness of our businesses. Online purchases are clearly part and parcel of consumer behaviour and new buying habits (in 2024, 75% of Belgians made online purchases, 25% of Belgians' annual spending is online and 33% of businesses in Belgium sell via e-commerce). This activity itself contributes to boosting business turnover. The share of e-commerce in the total turnover of businesses in Belgium stands at 28.8%.
E-commerce in figures in Belgium
- In 2024, 76% of Belgians made online purchases (Statbel)
- In 2024, online spending reached 17.4 billion euros, a 7% increase compared to the previous year
- Belgian consumers spend 25% of their annual expenditure on products and services online
Businesses active online
- 1st quarter 2024: 64,000 online shops
- A considerable share of online spending flows abroad (a third of the total)
- 33% of businesses in Belgium sell via e-commerce
Unfair competition and risks for consumers
- 85 to 95% of the products offered do not comply with all European rules (dangerous/illegal products)
- Belgium is considered a hub and is therefore particularly exposed.
- Artificial competitive advantage: Chinese exports benefit from logistical and financial support from the Chinese State
David Clarinval, Minister for the Economy: “A cheaply imported t-shirt must not cost a job in Belgium. It's time to act to better regulate e-commerce in order to protect our jobs and businesses. We must strengthen controls, improve cooperation between authorities, guarantee the safety of European consumers and remove non-compliant products from the market. I also support the European proposal to tax small parcels under 150 euros at 2 euros to combat unfair practices.”