UK urged to probe JD.com’s €2.2bn bid and close £135 de minimis loophole
AMZN•UK shadow security minister urges Parliament to investigate Chinese retailer JD.com’s subsidised UK entry under Joybuy after considering bids for Currys, Argos and Very Group, citing a €2.2bn German takeover bid. Government will close the £135 de minimis customs duty loophole by October 2028, potentially easing Amazon UK’s competitive pressures.
1. Investigation call for JD.com’s UK expansion
Alicia Kearns, shadow national security minister, has urged UK Parliament to scrutinise JD.com’s UK launch under the Joybuy brand and its potential state subsidies after examining bids for Currys, Argos and Very Group following its €2.2bn bid for Ceconomy.
2. De minimis loophole reform in October 2028
The UK Treasury announced plans to eliminate the current £135 de minimis customs duty exemption by October 2028, accelerating a reform originally scheduled for 2029 to address competitive imbalances between overseas online retailers and domestic firms.
3. Implications for Amazon UK
Stricter oversight of JD.com’s expansion and closure of the de minimis loophole could reduce competitive pressure on Amazon UK by limiting subsidised discounting practices and raising import costs for rival platforms.
