Air cargo related to e-commerce between China and Europe is entering a phase of adjustment. In the background: the introduction of new fees in several European countries and the upcoming implementation of a European mechanism on small packages. Result: Even before full implementation, the market is already reacting — operators are reviewing processing, pricing, and routing schemes.
This movement is particularly visible in the flow of low-value packages, where the slightest additional cost disrupts the economic balance. Some national legislations, mentioned in the brief, introduce fixed fees that immediately change the “calculation” for platforms and logistics providers. For forwarders and air operators, the challenge goes beyond mere compliance: it is about preserving fluidity by adapting document preparation, value declaration, and last-mile delivery solutions. In the short term, this transition can create peak effects (acceleration before the deadline, then slowdown), and reinforce the segmentation between operators capable of absorbing the complexity and those who are subject to the regulations.
