France to Impose Surcharges on Small Parcels from China to Curb Influx of Cheap Goods

Starting next year, France plans to impose additional fees on small parcels arriving from China, in a move aimed at stemming the influx of low-cost goods from Chinese e-commerce platforms into the European market.

The policy was jointly announced on April 29 by France's Minister for Public Accounts, Amélie de Montchalin, and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire.

De Montchalin said France will propose at the EU level a surcharge of "a few euros or a few cents" per package exported by Chinese platforms - specifically naming fast fashion giant Shein, discount marketplace Temu, and Alibaba's AliExpress. She emphasized that the fee should be paid by importers and platforms, not by consumers.

Finance Minister Le Maire added that many of the products in these low-value shipments do not comply with safety standards. He said the government is concerned about the unfair competitive pressure these parcels place on French businesses, prompting the decision to introduce the new charges.

Currently, the United States has already imposed tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese goods and, as of May 2, has ended the tax exemption for parcels valued under $800. The European Union is expected to follow suit by 2028, removing the current VAT exemption for parcels worth less than €150. France's proposed handling fee will serve as an interim measure to help fund stricter customs inspections.

European retailers have long criticized the existing exemption policy, arguing that it gives platforms like Shein and Temu an unfair advantage, since tax-exempt goods are subject to fewer safety and compliance checks.

According to De Montchalin, over 800 million low-value items enter France annually, "91% of which come from China." She warned: "This poses a risk to French consumers due to potentially unsafe products; a risk to brands due to widespread counterfeiting; and a risk to public finances because of significant tax evasion."