A significant majority of German retailers are advocating for a ban on Chinese low-cost online marketplaces, according to a survey released Tuesday by the German IT industry association, Bitkom.
The research, which polled 505 German trading companies employing ten or more individuals between March and April 2025, revealed that 78% of retailers are calling for such a prohibition. Concerns cited include widespread violations of current German law (reported by 92% of respondents) and the frequent presence of potentially hazardous ingredients in products sold via these platforms (88%).
Retailers largely believe the responsibility for addressing this issue lies with the European Union. A substantial 85% of surveyed companies feel the EU should protect the European single market from non-European online marketplaces, while 87% believe that regulations governing the import of goods through these channels require stricter enforcement.
Eliminating the current €150 customs-free threshold for imports from outside Europe is seen as a crucial first step. Three-quarters (76%) of German retailers consider this measure to be sensible. The prevailing sentiment suggests a long-term challenge, with only 19% believing these low-cost marketplaces represent a fleeting trend.
Beyond the specific concerns surrounding Chinese marketplaces, German retailers are expressing broader anxieties related to global geopolitical instability. Nearly half (47%) report experiencing supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical conflicts, leading a third (33%) to consider reducing their product ranges. Furthermore, 41% of trading companies are actively seeking to replace non-European suppliers with European alternatives. A significant two-thirds (67%) express confidence that Germany is entering an era of trade war.