Vareya
Cross-border

Shipping small parcels from Asia is changing: why brands are moving stock into Europe

Why the EU parcel levy is pushing brands to hold stock inside Europe, and what a European warehouse changes for cost and delivery.

The old maths is gone

For years, the smart move for many brands was simple: produce in Asia, ship small parcels directly to customers everywhere. Low parcel costs and a 150-euro customs exemption made that attractive.

Both advantages are gone. The EU levy of 3 euro per product category on every small parcel entering the EU is now in force, and the exemption is history.

What stock inside Europe changes

A warehouse inside the EU changes three things at once.

First, cost: parcels dispatched from inside Europe do not enter the EU from outside it. Second, speed: the last mile is a domestic or intra-EU route instead of an intercontinental one. Third, control: returns, customer service and restocking happen close to the customer instead of across an ocean.

That is why the biggest platforms are doing exactly this. Shein is reported to be opening a large logistics centre in Poland specifically to ship from inside the EU.

How to make the move without disrupting your shop

The move from direct-from-Asia shipping to EU stock is a process, not an event. It starts with one inbound shipment to a European warehouse, an agreed intake, and a sales channel that connects cleanly.

Vareya operates from a warehouse in Breda, the Netherlands, shipping across Europe and beyond. Shopify integration is available, and Vareya uses ShipHero as its warehouse management system, fully integrated with Shopify.

Customs clearance support is available for shipments into and out of Europe, so the inbound leg from outside the EU is handled as part of the process rather than as a surprise.

Sources

  1. 1.BNR Nieuwsradio — EU-heffing op Chinese pakketjes raakt Shein, Temu en AliExpress hard

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