A study by Anged reveals that spending on Shein, Temu, and Alibaba causes a loss of €1.058 billion in revenue from VAT, social contributions, and income tax. The hidden cost of low prices threatens 56,200 jobs.
E-commerce originating from China leaves a gap of €1.058 billion in Spain's public coffers each year. This is the conclusion of a report by the National Association of Large Distribution Companies (Anged), which includes giants such as El Corte Inglés, Carrefour, Ikea, Fnac, and Leroy Merlin. The study quantifies for the first time the fiscal impact of platforms like Shein, Temu, or Alibaba, whose direct sales model avoids a significant portion of the tax obligations that local commerce assumes.
Of that figure, €490 million corresponds to unpaid social contributions and €175 million to income tax, which adds up to over €660 million in labour losses. Additionally, there are €312 million in uncollected VAT and €81 million in corporate tax. The calculation focuses on eight branches of retail and their value chain, such as textiles, electronics, transportation, and logistics.
The fiscal asymmetry hidden behind low prices
Behind the low prices lies a “hidden bill” of invisible costs to the consumer. Yolanda Rodríguez, chief economist of Anged, explains that “the revenue drop wouldn’t be as significant if they were here.” The problem is that one euro spent in local distribution generates 38.1 cents in revenue (income tax, VAT, contributions), while the same euro on an Asian platform contributes barely 8.7 cents. The difference, 27.8 cents, is lost between margins and repatriation of profits to headquarters.
The study denounces a “fiscal and regulatory asymmetry” due to the lack of compliance with regulations. Although the law applies equally, controls are insufficient. It is estimated that €5.9 billion worth of low-value packages (up to €150) arrived in the EU last year. In Spain, there were 220 million. This avalanche causes 65% of shipments to be declared below their actual value, eroding the VAT base.
The new €3 fee does not close the gap
The European Union began charging a fee of €3 per category on low-value shipments this month, a temporary measure that does not solve the problem. According to Rodríguez, “it could only partially alleviate the issue, although it may provoke a change in habits.” Furthermore, 75% of the revenue from this fee goes to the European budget, not to the member states.
The impact goes beyond the fiscal. Due to the diversion of spending, a gross added value of €3.228 billion is not generated in the country, putting 56,200 jobs at risk among distribution and its suppliers. Catalonia is the most affected region, with 11,000 jobs in jeopardy. If the trend continues without reforms, the figure could reach 116,000 jobs by 2030.
The European customs system is still awaiting a digital reform that would allow for more effective control of shipments, scheduled for 2028 if deadlines are met. In the meantime, Anged proposes leveling the playing field, providing more resources for customs, and effective collection of VAT. They also demand the creation of a sanctioning body, which only exists in Poland and is being hindered by parliamentary blockage in Spain.
“Combined, these invisible costs change the nature of what seems like a bargain. The consumer's savings are, to a large extent, a transfer of risk onto themselves, of revenue and control capacity onto the Administration, of environmental cost onto society, and of activity onto compliant commerce,” concludes the report. Ultimately, we all pay the bill.
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