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Chinese retail company Alibaba introduces “Hungary surcharge” on all orders shipped to Hungary – UPDATE
Hungarian customers buying through Alibaba’s global B2B marketplace have begun noticing an unexpected extra charge at checkout: a new 4.5% “Hungary surcharge” added to every order delivered to Hungary.
The fee, which appears as a separate line on invoices, has raised eyebrows among business buyers who rely on the Chinese platform to source everything from small tools to large custom-built machinery.
Extra cost appears on invoices
The issue first came to light after a Hungarian entrepreneur, a regular Alibaba user, spotted the new item labelled Hungary Surcharge on multiple recent purchases, Telex reports.
At 4.5% of the order value, the cost may be barely noticeable on small transactions. However, for larger equipment orders requiring deposits of several thousand dollars, the additional charge can quickly add up to a significant sum, and must be paid upfront in full.
Alibaba primarily serves business-to-business (B2B) customers rather than retail shoppers, connecting international buyers with low-cost Chinese manufacturers.
Why many buyers use Alibaba
For Hungarian companies, the platform often provides an extra layer of security compared with dealing directly with overseas suppliers.
When purchases are made through Alibaba, payments are handled via the platform rather than sent straight to the seller. Alibaba offers dispute resolution and consumer protection services, stepping in if products do not match agreements or shipments go wrong.
By contrast, resolving conflicts directly with Chinese sellers can be difficult, particularly when legal action would require navigating China’s court system. Some sellers also use Hong Kong or Singapore bank accounts, which may further complicate matters.
Alibaba: fee linked to Hungarian regulations
In a notice published on its website, Alibaba states that the surcharge was introduced due to “changes in the Hungarian government’s regulatory framework for e-commerce platforms”.
According to the company, the fee took effect on 16 September 2025 and applies to:
- all online transaction orders
- all product categories
- any shipment address within Hungary
Alibaba stresses that the charge is not VAT. Hungary’s standard 27% VAT continues to apply separately.
Instead, the company describes the surcharge as an additional platform fee meant to cover compliance-related costs and ensure it can continue operating in Hungary.
However, the surcharge is included in the VAT calculation base. This means customers effectively pay VAT on top of the surcharge as well.
Government agreement unclear
What has puzzled some Hungarian buyers is Alibaba’s wording suggesting that the change is connected to arrangements with the Hungarian authorities.
The platform’s explanation refers to regulatory requirements and compliance obligations, but no publicly available agreement or official government announcement has so far clarified the details.
Telex contacted both Alibaba and Hungary’s Ministry for National Economy, but did not receive a response.
As a result, it is still unclear exactly what regulatory or administrative costs the fee is intended to cover.
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Noticeable impact for businesses
For occasional small purchases, the extra 4.5% may go largely unnoticed. For businesses importing machinery, components or bulk goods, however, the charge could significantly increase procurement costs.
Since the fee applies to all orders and product categories, Hungarian companies that depend heavily on Alibaba may see their overall import expenses rise accordingly.
UPDATE: National Economy Ministry’s reaction
Hungary’s Ministry for National Economy has denied reaching any agreement with Alibaba over the introduction of a 4.5% “Hungary surcharge” applied to purchases. The ministry said presenting the fee as a mandatory state-imposed charge is misleading consumers and has called on Alibaba to remove it immediately and clarify its pricing.
Authorities, including the National Authority for Trade and Consumer Protection and the National Tax and Customs Administration, have launched investigations into whether the practice constitutes unfair commercial behaviour and whether billing and fee disclosures comply with the law. The ministry also rejected claims that the surcharge simply passes on Hungary’s retail tax to customers, stressing that the tax was extended to online retailers to ensure fair competition and should not be portrayed as a government-mandated extra fee.
So, our Politicians admit the policy raises retailer costs, but insist it shouldn’t be framed as an extra fee? Legally, it’s a retail tax on companies. However, this does not preclude that customers end up on the hook through higher prices, fewer promos, or reduced service. Alibaba just adds it as a line item (nice and transparent – exactly what our Politicians do not like).
The fair competition argument is … What it is. At the end of the day, our Politicians imposed a cost increase and consumers end up paying it when they chose an online retailer.
Have your cake and eat it, too?