Customs duty from China to European Union: Import Duty Guide

Key Takeaways

• China and the EU have no free trade agreement - a proposed investment deal (CAI) was frozen by the European Parliament in 2021 and remains stalled, so imports pay the standard MFN tariff.
• China was the EU’s largest single source of goods imports in 2025, at €559.4 billion - 22.3% of all extra-EU imports, up 6.4% year on year.
• The EU imposes definitive countervailing duties of 7.8-35.3% specifically on Chinese battery electric vehicles, on top of the standard 10% car tariff - unrelated to the general MFN rate on other goods.
• As with any non-EU origin, the standard EU mechanics apply: below €150, a flat €3 duty per item for IOSS-registered sellers (non-IOSS orders stay duty-free); above €150, VAT plus category-based duty plus a handling fee.
• The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) began its financial-obligations phase on 1 January 2026, adding a separate charge for certain industrial imports (steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers) from China and other non-equivalent-carbon-pricing countries.

China-EU Trade at a Glance

China is the EU’s single largest source of goods imports by a wide margin - €559.4 billion in 2025, representing 22.3% of all extra-EU imports and up 6.4% year on year (Eurostat, “EU trade in goods surplus down to €128 billion in 2025,” 26 March 2026).

Is There a Trade Deal Between China and the EU?

No. The EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) was agreed in principle on 30 December 2020, but the European Parliament voted to freeze consideration of it on 20 May 2021 in response to Chinese counter-sanctions imposed on several MEPs - retaliation for EU sanctions related to Xinjiang. As of this writing, CAI has not been signed and the underlying dispute remains unresolved (European Parliament Legislative Train Schedule). Practically, this means China-origin goods pay the EU’s standard MFN tariff, with no preferential rate available - the “FTA available” column in the table below shows “not applicable” throughout.

A Notable Exception: Chinese Electric Vehicles

Separate from the general MFN-only picture, the EU imposed definitive countervailing (anti-subsidy) duties specifically on Chinese-made battery electric vehicles from 29 October 2024, ranging 7.8-35.3% depending on the manufacturer, on top of the EU’s standard 10% car tariff. The European Commission issued guidance in January 2026 on an alternative “price undertaking” mechanism (a minimum import price arrangement instead of the duty), and accepted at least one such undertaking in February 2026. A WTO dispute over these duties remains ongoing (European Commission).

How Much Will You Pay Importing from China to the EU?

The standard EU mechanics apply with no China-specific relief. Since 1 July 2026, orders under €150 from an IOSS-registered seller pay a flat €3 customs duty per item type, while non-IOSS orders under €150 stay duty-free for now. Orders over €150 pay import VAT (17-27% depending on the destination member state), category-based customs duty at the MFN rate shown in the table below, and a carrier handling fee. Since VAT varies by which EU country you’re shipping to, use this site’s calculator on the specific member state - Germany, France, or another - for an exact figure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does China have any preferential trade deal with the EU?

No. A proposed investment agreement was frozen by the European Parliament in 2021 over a sanctions dispute and has never been ratified - China-origin goods pay the EU’s standard MFN tariff, the same as any country without an EU trade agreement.

Why do Chinese electric vehicles face extra duty?

The EU imposed anti-subsidy (countervailing) duties of 7.8-35.3% on Chinese-made battery EVs specifically, following an investigation into state subsidies - this is separate from and additional to the general MFN rate applied to other Chinese goods.

Is China really the EU’s biggest import source?

Yes - China supplied 22.3% of all extra-EU goods imports in 2025, more than any other single country, at €559.4 billion.

What is CBAM, and does it affect a normal shopping order?

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is a separate charge on certain carbon-intensive industrial imports (steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity, hydrogen) that began its financial-obligations phase in January 2026 - it doesn’t apply to typical consumer goods like clothing or electronics.