Austria has introduced a €2 national levy per parcel for large online sellers, effective from October 1. The measure targets online stores and marketplaces with annual sales exceeding €100 million in the country, indirectly affecting thousands of businesses.
This levy is separate from the EU’s €3 charge per product category on small consignments from outside the bloc, introduced on July 1. The EU will also add a €2 handling fee per customs declaration line from November. Both European charges aim to reduce the influx of parcels from China and enhance product safety controls.
According to the Austrian government, the national levy serves a similar purpose. However, unlike the EU charges, it applies to purchases from all large online stores and marketplaces, including domestic ones. This measure offers no particular advantage to large Austrian e-commerce companies, which have long struggled to compete with international giants.
The levy’s impact extends to smaller and medium-sized online businesses. Rainer Will, director of the Austrian Retail Association, notes that around 4,000 domestic online stores will face additional indirect costs and administrative burdens. These sellers offer products through marketplaces generating over €100 million in sales in Austria, affecting half of all online orders.
Will predicts that the levy will result in the loss of nearly 3,000 jobs and reduce GDP by €360 million annually. Large players like Amazon, Otto, Refurbed, and Zalando have voiced objections, along with the Austrian Economic Chamber. The Austrian Economic Chamber points to the 20% VAT that in most cases is added to the 2-euro levy, effectively bringing the total to €2.40. Critics argue that these costs will ultimately be passed on to consumers.
