Custom exception for goods below 150 EUR have been routinely, if not systematically abused by companies from abroad mislabeling orders larger than 150 EUR. Add to that, that because of outdated international agreements, shipping across half the world have to be facilitated at prices that are usually lower than shipping within a single EU member state. Those 3 EUR are merely bringing the shipping costs more in line with that and can help handling the huge additional costs that all that waste creates. And that in the near future there won’t be a customs exception below 150 EUR is something Chinese companies have really brought upon themselves. I know some consumers loved to evade customs but to think one is entitled to that is well, a choice.

Usually a product bought in large quantities is cheaper per unit, but there are two reasons these products from China are cheaper, first because they do not meet the same requirements when it comes to safety second because these far-away sellers get away with not paying taxes or costs related to consumer protection like warrenties.

I also order stuff from China, one reason is because it is cheaper, i am guilty too; but goods made in low-wage low-standards countries are often cheap for a reason and the government trying to level the playing field for companies that do pay taxes and fair wages is in the longer term not only good for the citizens there but also for the consumers here, although they are forced to pay more. The fact many of us need can’t afford goods made by people who earn fair wages under fair conditions is because the ordinary consumers here are squeezed by the ultra-rich. I don’t know where you live, but since you commented about something only relevant to people in the EU i guess that might mean you also pay more in income-tax than some multi-millionaire does in total. I totally understand how this can feel as bullying the small guy, but this definitely will help you in the long run, especially with larger purchases.