Grillfürst Demands Stricter Enforcement Against Unsafe Imports

Bad Hersfeld, March 27, 2026 – German grill and accessory retailer Grillfürst has urged the European Union to implement more stringent measures against unsafe imported goods, particularly from China, that bypass effective controls. While welcoming the new EU customs reform and planned handling fee for small shipments, the company argues these measures are insufficient. "A fee alone does not protect consumers or honest, medium-sized businesses," stated Joachim Weber, CEO of Grillfürst.

The volume of direct imports from third countries into the EU is significant. According to the European Commission, approximately 4.6 billion small shipments valued under €150 arrived in the EU in 2024, with 91% originating from China. Grillfürst contends that managing such immense volumes hinders effective oversight and creates an uneven playing field for compliant businesses that adhere to product safety and documentation regulations.

EU-wide control actions have revealed substantial issues with online imports. Non-compliance rates reached 65% for cosmetics, 60% for personal protective equipment, and 63% for food supplements. Grillfürst's own test purchases from third-country platforms found defects in labeling, documentation, or material conformity in over 50% of products. Concerns are particularly high for items in contact with food, posing potential health risks.

The company emphasizes that the core issue is not a lack of rules, but a failure in their enforcement. "If rules exist but are not enforced millions of times over, it constitutes a state failure in implementation," Weber noted. Grillfürst is advocating for increased risk-based inspections at EU borders, more robust customs and market surveillance, and clearer platform responsibilities for swiftly removing non-compliant listings and ensuring product traceability.