France is pushing to slap charges on small packages from low cost retailers together with China’s Temu and Shein Group Ltd. because the flood of low cost items dangers accelerating in response to the US’s sweeping tariffs.
The proposed stopgap measure to place dealing with charges on such imports would come forward of a wider European overhaul of customs duties attributable to come into impact in 2028, Price range Minister Amelie de Montchalin mentioned throughout a go to to a parcel sorting middle close to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport on Tuesday.
“Immediately isn’t 2028, so France is proposing fastened dealing with charges as quickly as 2026,” she mentioned. “It’s not a tax on shoppers — it’s to make these platforms contribute extra to checks we should do for safety.”
France’s effort to handle a tide of low cost Chinese language items comes as President Donald Trump’s tariffs on small packages vastly improve the prices of merchandise from Shein and Temu for US shoppers.
Some policymakers in Europe are involved that may divert but extra low cost clothes and items into European international locations, the place there are presently no levies on parcels below €150 ($170.59).
Competitors Considerations
French Finance Minister Eric Lombard mentioned authorities are anxious about unfair competitors in opposition to home firms and that lots of the merchandise don’t respect security norms.
Even earlier than Trump’s commerce strikes, the quantity of small packages exported to France by digital platforms doubled year-on-year to 800 million in 2024, with round 90% from China.
Days in the past, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced an examination of the nation’s so-called de minimis guidelines, below which merchandise valued at £135 ($180) or much less may be imported with out customs obligation.
The European Union has already proposed abolishing the exemption from duties for parcels below €150 and mentioned it’s going to reform the customs union to make sure buying and selling platforms adjust to the bloc’s laws. But these modifications should not attributable to are available till 2027 to 2028.
France will search to coordinate with different European international locations on the dealing with charges to be utilized earlier than then. If different giant importing international locations don’t observe Paris on the problem, importers to the EU’s single market may circumnavigate any unilateral French motion.
Montchalin mentioned she has already mentioned the thought with the Dutch authorities and can speak with the brand new German administration within the coming weeks with a view to implementing the stopgap measure by 2026. The charge can be “a number of euros,” however the actual quantity can be coordinated with different member states.
“Our ambition is to deliver collectively all EU ministers accountable for customs in order that within the coming weeks we will take measures that don’t destabilize our markets,” she mentioned.
Talking alongside Montchalin, Lombard added that there is no such thing as a direct hyperlink between the proposal and Trump’s tariffs, and mentioned diverting commerce flows is proscribed by air freight capability.
“Our purpose is to guard French individuals no matter occurs — it doesn’t rely on American selections,” he mentioned.
This story was initially featured on Fortune.com
