The collected fees will be used to finance inspections at entry points, ensuring compliance with regulatory checks and addressing concerns about product safety.

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

Currently, packages worth less than 150 euros sent from third countries are exempt from EU customs duties, creating a loophole that facilitates cheap imports.

French Minister for Public Accounts, Amélie de Montchalin, emphasized that the proposed fee, expected to be a few euros per package, will be charged to importers and platforms rather than consumers.

France aims to garner support from other EU countries for a similar fee structure, as unilateral action could lead to a diversion of package flows to nations without such fees.

In 2024, approximately 4.6 billion packages valued under 150 euros entered the EU, with a staggering 91% originating from China, and France alone received around 800 million of these packages.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to regulate the influx of inexpensive products from platforms like Shein, Temu, and AliExpress, which have been under scrutiny for compliance with consumer protection laws.

The rise in these imports has been partly driven by significant tariffs imposed by the United States, prompting European consumers to seek cheaper alternatives.

The French government is concerned that the increasing volume of these parcels could disrupt local markets and intensify competition for domestic retailers.

Ministerial officials, including Amélie de Montchalin, have discussed these regulatory measures during a visit to Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport, highlighting the importance of e-commerce platform security.

The fashion and furniture sectors are particularly affected by this influx, with companies like Shein generating revenue comparable to established retailers, despite lacking physical stores.

This fee is intended to last until 2028, coinciding with a potential EU decision to eliminate the customs duty exemption for low-value packages.