Portugal MEPs Confront Temu Over Safety Violations: What 2026 EU Rules Mean for Shoppers

The European Parliament Internal Market Committee delegation has confronted e-commerce giant Temu over persistent violations of EU product safety standards, a confrontation that signals heightened enforcement pressure on platforms flooding European households with non-compliant and counterfeit goods worth billions annually.

Why This Matters

• Trade volume surge: 4.6 billion low-value parcels entered the EU in 2024, 91% from China, with significant volumes processed through European distribution networks.

• Safety failures systemic: Between 85% and 95% of products sampled on Chinese platforms fail EU safety checks, exposing consumers to electronics that overheat, toys with choking hazards, and cosmetics with banned chemicals.

• New liability rules: Under the reformed EU Customs Code, agreed in early 2026 with implementation beginning March 2026, platforms like Temu become "importers of fact," directly responsible for product compliance and tax collection—penalties up to 6% of annual import value are now on the table.

• Enforcement deadline: Major provisions take effect through 2026, forcing platforms to overhaul operations or face suspension from the European market.

Delegation Confronts Temu in China

The European Parliament Internal Market Committee delegation met with Temu President Sun Qin and senior executives during a landmark eight-year hiatus visit to China. The delegation pressed the company on its "compliance systems," only to reiterate—via the committee's official X account—that "too many counterfeit and non-compliant products continue to reappear, despite assurances given."

Despite inspection and testing protocols touted by Temu, the delegation noted that "systematic violations of EU safety requirements are being detected" across product categories. The tone was unambiguous: promises are insufficient when enforcement data contradicts corporate messaging.

The China mission, led by committee chair Anna Cavazzini, also included meetings with Shein, Alibaba, the State Administration for Market Regulation, Chinese legislators, and the EU Chamber of Commerce in China. Topics spanned forced labor concerns, child protection online, market access barriers for European firms, and fair competition.

What This Means for Portuguese Consumers and Businesses

For households in Portugal, the regulatory crackdown translates to safer products and potentially higher prices on ultra-low-cost goods. The elimination of the €150 duty-free threshold—a loophole that enabled Temu, Shein, and AliExpress to undercut European retailers—will be replaced by a €2 flat handling fee per parcel starting in 2026. Factoring in VAT and the new customs duties, a €10 gadget could cost closer to €15, narrowing the price advantage that drove platform growth.

Portuguese businesses, particularly in textiles, footwear, toys, and cosmetics, stand to benefit from leveling the competitive playing field. Domestic manufacturers have struggled against imports that bypass safety testing, environmental standards, and labor protections. The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), in full effect since December 2024, mandates clear labeling of manufacturer details and imposes liability on online marketplaces for unsafe listings—Portuguese authorities now have expanded powers to order removals and fine non-compliant platforms.

Meanwhile, Portuguese consumers ordering from platforms like Temu or Shein should expect longer delivery times as customs authorities implement the new data-collection and inspection protocols. The creation of the EU Customs Authority (EUCA) in France and a unified data hub to replace 111 fragmented national systems aims to streamline checks, but transition friction is inevitable.

The Scale of the Counterfeit Problem

The economic toll of counterfeiting on the EU is staggering: €83 billion in lost sales annually, 670,000 jobs, and €15 billion in unpaid taxes and social contributions. In 2024 alone, EU authorities seized 112 million counterfeit items valued at €3.8 billion—an 11% increase in value despite a 26% drop in volume, indicating a shift toward higher-value fakes such as luxury goods, cosmetics, watches, and electronics.

China remains the source of 44% of all counterfeit seizures in Europe. Sector-specific losses include:

• Clothing: €12 billion in sales (5.2% of turnover) and 160,000 jobs.

• Cosmetics: €3 billion in sales (4.8%) and 32,000 jobs.

• Toys: €1 billion in sales (8.7%) and 3,600 jobs.

For Portugal, whose textile and footwear industries employ tens of thousands and contribute significantly to export revenue, the flood of counterfeit and unsafe goods represents both a public health risk and an economic threat.

How Enforcement Compares Across Platforms

Not all e-commerce platforms handle counterfeits equally. According to company data, Amazon reports investing over $1.2 billion annually in anti-counterfeit systems, employing 15,000 personnel dedicated to fraud prevention. Its Project Zero and Transparency Program use AI to scan billions of product listings daily, serialization codes to verify authenticity, and a Counterfeit Crimes Unit staffed by former prosecutors and law enforcement agents who pursue civil and criminal cases. In 2023, Amazon seized and destroyed 7 million counterfeit products before they reached consumers.

Vinted, popular in Portugal for secondhand fashion, enforces a zero-tolerance policy with buyer protection covering counterfeit items—purchasers have 2 days post-delivery to report fakes, triggering refunds if verified. eBay operates seller-verification programs and collaborates with brand owners to remove infringing listings.

By contrast, Temu and Shein, designated Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) under the Digital Services Act (DSA), face formal enforcement proceedings. The European Commission opened a case against Shein in February 2026 over addictive design patterns, lack of transparency in recommendation algorithms, and illegal product sales. Temu was found in breach of the DSA in July 2025 for failing to implement adequate "notice and action" mechanisms for illegal goods.

Legislative Arsenal: DSA, GPSR, and Customs Reform

The EU's regulatory response spans multiple frameworks:

Digital Services Act (DSA)

VLOPs must conduct systematic risk assessments, remove illegal content promptly, provide algorithm transparency, and grant researchers data access. Non-compliance triggers fines and potential market suspension.

General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)

Since December 2024, online marketplaces must verify merchant information, provide contact points for national authorities, and remove unsafe product listings upon notification. Robust recall systems and reporting to the Safety Business Gateway portal are mandatory.

Customs Code Reform

The early 2026 agreement introduces the most sweeping changes since 1968, with implementation beginning in March 2026:

• Platforms classified as "importers of fact" assume full responsibility for compliance, customs data, and tax collection.

• Penalties up to 6% of annual imports for repeated non-compliance, plus platform suspension rights.

• Elimination of the €150 duty-free threshold, replaced by standardized handling fees.

• Creation of the EUCA to centralize enforcement and harmonize data systems.

Product Liability Directive (PLD)

Member states, including Portugal, must transpose this directive by December 2026, extending liability rules to digital products and complex global supply chains.

AI Act

Applicable from August 2026, the AI Act's risk-based framework will regulate recommendation algorithms and personalization engines used by e-commerce platforms, potentially constraining manipulative design tactics.

What Portuguese Consumers Should Do Now

For residents in Portugal purchasing from international platforms, here are practical steps to protect yourself:

Before You Buy:

• Check product certifications and safety markings (CE mark for most consumer goods).

• Review seller ratings and buyer feedback carefully.

• Verify contact information and return policies are clearly listed.

• Consider purchasing through platforms with robust buyer protection programs, such as Amazon or established domestic retailers.

How to Report Problems:

• If you receive a counterfeit or unsafe product, report it to Autoridade de Segurança Alimentar e Económica (ASAE) by visiting their website or calling their consumer hotline.

• You can also report unsafe products to the EU Safety Gate portal at https://ec.europa.eu/safety/rapex/ for rapid alert distribution across EU member states.

• Provide photos, product details, and proof of purchase to strengthen enforcement cases.

Know Your Rights:

• Under the General Product Safety Regulation, you have the right to receive products that meet EU safety standards.

• The €2 flat handling fee beginning in March 2026 is a regulatory change; platform prices should update accordingly, though you may see increases as full customs duties apply.

• If a platform fails to respond to safety complaints or remove non-compliant listings, report the violation to ASAE or contact the European Commission's consumer complaints portal.

Transition Period:

• Until March 2026, the €150 duty-free threshold remains in effect, though expect implementation changes as new systems are tested.

• After March 2026, all parcels will be subject to customs processing and VAT collection, which may delay delivery by 5-10 business days during the transition.

The Road Ahead

The April 2026 parliamentary visit to China underscores the EU's willingness to engage directly with platforms and Chinese regulators, but the message is firm: compliance is non-negotiable. With 5.8 billion low-value parcels entering the EU in 2025—double the 2023 figure—the enforcement challenge is immense.

For Portugal, the stakes are both economic and social. Protecting consumers from unsafe goods, safeguarding jobs in traditional manufacturing sectors, and ensuring fair competition require sustained political will and adequate resources for enforcement agencies. The legislative tools are now in place; execution will determine whether the counterfeit flood recedes or merely adapts to new rules.

Portuguese households should brace for price adjustments on ultra-cheap imports, but also expect greater product safety and accountability from the platforms that dominate online shopping. Whether Temu, Shein, and AliExpress can overhaul their operations to meet EU standards—or face exclusion from one of the world's largest consumer markets—will become clear in the months ahead.