![Cross-border parcel delivery services [EU Legislation in Progress]](https://i0.wp.com/epthinktank.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/fotolia_101899803_subscription_xxl-1000.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1)
Written by Nikolina Šajn (4th edition),
Updated on 05.07.2018
High prices and the inconvenience of cross-border parcel delivery have been identified as being among the main obstacles to greater uptake of e-commerce among European consumers and retailers. Research shows that current cross-border parcel delivery prices charged by universal service providers can be almost five times higher than domestic parcel delivery prices.
To remedy the situation, the European Commission presented a legislative proposal on cross-border parcel delivery services as part of its May 2016 e-commerce package. The proposal’s aim was to contribute to a reduction in delivery prices through increased price transparency and improved regulatory oversight.
The final act was signed in April 2018, following a compromise agreement between Parliament and the Council reached in December 2017. The new regulation will enable consumers and businesses to compare parcel delivery prices on a dedicated website, while national regulatory authorities will be provided with greater powers to monitor cross-border tariffs and assess those they consider to be unreasonably high.
See also our Initial Appraisal of a European Commission Impact Assessment on the topic
Interactive PDF
| Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on cross-border parcel delivery services | ||
| Committee responsible:
Rapporteur: Shadow rapporteurs:
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Transport and Tourism (TRAN)
Lucy Anderson (S&D, United Kingdom) Markus Ferber (EPP, Germany) |
COM(2016)285 of 25.05.2016 2016/0149 (COD) Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) |
| Procedure completed. | Regulation (EU) 2018/644 OJ L 112, 2.5.2018, pp. 19–28 |
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Agree but in addition to above, cross-border delivery services also require the knowledge of country-specific rules and customs which is one of the biggest obstacles.