This regulatory move aims to counter the increasing flow of inexpensive Chinese products, which have surged partly due to higher tariffs imposed by the United States.

The shift in consumer behavior towards cheaper international alternatives has been influenced by significant tariffs in the U.S., prompting a rise in imports from Asia.

As part of the plan, the French government will enhance checks on compliance with health and safety standards for these parcels, although penalties will not increase.

Starting in 2026, France plans to implement a fee on importers and e-commerce platforms for each small package entering Europe, addressing the surge of low-value goods from China.

This initiative is a response to the increasing influx of low-cost parcels, particularly from platforms like Shein, Temu, and AliExpress, which have raised concerns among local retailers.

To ensure a unified approach, France is seeking support from other EU countries to adopt a similar fee structure, as unilateral action could lead to a diversion of package flows.

In 2024, approximately 4.6 billion packages valued under 150 euros entered the EU, with 91% coming from China, highlighting the scale of the issue.

Out of the total packages entering Europe, 800 million were delivered to France, indicating a significant impact on the French market.

The French government is worried that the rising volume of these imports could intensify competition for domestic businesses and disrupt local markets.

Public Accounts Minister Amélie de Montchalin stated that the fees would be charged to importers and platforms, not consumers, and would be used to finance inspections at entry points.

The handling fee, expected to be a few euros per package, is designed to cover the costs of inspecting billions of small parcels arriving in the EU annually.

The proposed fees will be in effect from 2026 until 2028, coinciding with potential changes to the EU customs duty exemption for packages valued under 150 euros.