BHETA has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, calling for urgent action to tackle the growing imbalance between UK producers and overseas sellers created by the current treatment of low-value parcel imports.
In his letter, BHETA Chief Operating Officer, Will Jones, welcomed the Treasury Review into low-value parcels announced in April and the subsequent Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025. Both represent important steps in recognising the risks posed by poorly regulated imports. However, he stressed that action so far has been too slow to address the scale of the challenge.
A Growing Problem
Overseas platforms such as Shein, Temu, Amazon and eBay are facilitating a surge in small parcel imports into the UK, with estimates suggesting more than 100 million parcels entered the country in 2023. This figure is expected to rise significantly in 2024 and beyond.
While UK manufacturers and suppliers must meet strict regulatory and safety standards, many of these parcels are entering unchecked, creating:
- Consumer safety risks from unsafe and counterfeit products, including sub-standard electronics and bladed articles.
- Environmental harm due to the short lifespan and rapid disposal of poor-quality goods, as well as the carbon cost of excess parcel deliveries.
- Intellectual property infringement, which undermines reputable UK brands and innovation.
- Loss of Government revenue, conservatively estimated by BHETA at more than £0.5 billion each year.
BHETA’s Recommendations
To level the playing field for UK producers and ensure consumer protection, BHETA has urged the Government to act decisively by:
- Reducing the de minimis threshold of £135 for customs duties on imports.
- Funding enforcement and monitoring, with ring-fenced resources for Border Force, Trading Standards and other agencies.
- Mandating data-sharing from e-commerce platforms to HMRC and Border Force, in line with EU and US approaches.
- Strengthening penalties for misdeclaration and counterfeit imports, including fines and potential market access restrictions for repeat offenders.
A Call for Fair Competition
Commenting on the campaign, Will Jones said:
“Our members are committed to fair competition and consumer safety, but the current system is neither sustainable nor fair. Without decisive action, legitimate UK producers will continue to be undercut by unscrupulous overseas sellers operating outside the regulatory framework. We urge the Government to accelerate this review and implement meaningful reforms that protect UK industry, consumers and the Exchequer.”
BHETA has requested a meeting with the Chancellor and her officials to discuss how the Treasury Review can deliver practical solutions to these challenges.
