France suspends 2-euro charge on low-value packages as EU fee kicks in
The levy targets importers as customs authorities face a surge in small parcels, with more than 5.8 billion entering the bloc last year.
- France will stop applying its domestic €2 parcel charge on Wednesday, July 1, as the European Union's temporary €3 levy on low-value imports takes effect to replace national duties.
- Surging import volumes from abroad grew from 1.39 billion parcels in 2022 to 5.88 billion in 2025, while targeted inspections found over 60 percent of items lacked safety documentation or contained banned ingredients.
- "It is barely manageable, and normal checks are almost impossible," said Bernd Lange, head of the European parliament's trade committee, as the fee applies per type of good to reduce customs burdens.
- While a senior European official stated "Consumers buying online are not legally responsible for paying the duties," platforms like Shein or Temu could pass the costs to consumers despite this legal clarity.
- The European Commission will introduce mandatory product reference details on November 1st, 2026, as The United States and Britain also lift exemptions to manage surging e-commerce logistical challenges.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Brussels puts an end to a tax exemption that for years has benefited Asian platforms, while the sector calls for an urgent modernisation of customs systems to absorb the 12 million packages that enter every day in community space Read
It will enter into force on Wednesday 1 July in all the countries of the European Union. A tax of at least three euros on each small parcel coming from China. Since last March, France had tried to impose, alone, a tax of two euros, immediately bypassed by Shein and Temu, giants of disposable fashion. This new European tax will replace the French tax which, it will be suspended. Will these new customs duties be effective? (Economy).
In an attempt to stem the exponential flow of low-cost Chinese goods and fight against unfair competition, the Twenty-Seven agreed on a common tax, which comes into force on 1 July. In March, France alone introduced a similar system... without achieving the expected resultsBetween Europe and China, the commercial war often resembles David's fight against Goliath. With their very low prices, the goods sold on Temu, Shein or Alibaba make European …
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