French government officials are pushing to add a small handling fee to low-cost items bought online from outside the European Union. The move is aimed at curbing the surge of packages arriving from companies like Temu and Shein, which are mostly shipped from China. The proposal, announced during a visit to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on April 29, would apply to all non-EU countries, including the UK and the U.S., and could take effect as early as 2026.
Currently, small packages worth under €150 (USD 161) are exempt from customs duties in the EU, although VAT still applies. But with 4.6 billion such packages entering the EU last year — 91% from China and 800 million going to France — French officials say the system is being overwhelmed.
“This isn’t a tax on consumers — it’s to make these platforms contribute more to checks we must do for security,” said Budget Minister Amélie de Montchalin. She added the fee would help fund safety and environmental checks by France’s consumer watchdog agency, DGCCRF, which plans to inspect goods for quality, labeling, and proper documents.
The fee would be “a few euros” per package and would be officially paid by importers and platforms. But there’s concern that some platforms may pass those costs on to shoppers. Finance Minister Eric Lombard said, “We can’t do this alone, because if we do this alone, the flows will go to another country.” France is already in talks with other EU countries to roll out the change together.
The EU plans a broader customs reform by 2028, which could scrap duty exemptions for low-value parcels. But until then, France wants a quicker fix. “Today is not 2028,” said de Montchalin. “So France is proposing fixed handling fees as soon as 2026.”
Officials stressed that the goal is to support French businesses and ensure imported goods meet EU standards. “Our aim is to protect French people whatever happens — it doesn’t depend on American decisions,” said Lombard, referring to recent U.S. tariffs that could push even more Chinese goods into Europe.