[Source/Observer Network Wang Yi] After the United States announced that it would cancel the tax exemption for small packages starting May 2, several French government officials revealed on April 29 that France plans to impose a handling fee on imported small packages.

According to a report by Bloomberg on April 29, French Budget Minister Amelie de Montchalin stated during her inspection of a parcel sorting center near Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport that France plans to start charging a fixed handling fee for small parcels imported from foreign countries as early as 2026.

Montchalin said that France will only charge "a small uniform fee" for each package, equivalent to "a few euros" or "a few cents" per item. The funds raised through this handling fee will be used to "fund inspections at entry points."

Montchalin emphasized that the handling fee should be "paid by importers, platforms rather than consumers."

French Economic and Financial Minister Eric Lombard (second from left) and Budget Minister Amelie de Montchalin (first from left) speak alongside other French officials. Euractiv

Bloomberg believes that U.S. President Trump canceled the tariff exemption for small packages, coupled with his comprehensive tariffs, has made France worried about a large influx of Chinese goods, leading to the introduction of this measure.

However, French Economic and Financial Minister Eric Lombard claimed that this move by France is not directly linked to Trump's tariffs. "Regardless of what happens, our goal is to protect the French people - this is not dependent on American decisions," he said.

Lombard claimed that many products in these small packages do not meet safety standards, and French authorities are concerned that the entry of foreign small packages could lead to unfair competition for domestic enterprises, prompting the decision to impose a handling fee.

Currently, France follows EU policy and does not impose customs duties on small packages worth less than 150 euros purchased by mail and directly sent from third countries. According to data cited by France 24, last year, 4.6 billion small packages entered the EU, with 800 million sent to France, approximately 90% of which came from China.

To address the so-called "surge in low-value e-commerce imports," the EU proposed in 2023 a plan to cancel tax exemptions for small packages valued below 15 billion euros, but related reform measures containing this initiative are expected to be implemented between 2027 and 2028.

French workers load packages onto a vehicle. Video screenshot.

Bloomberg pointed out that if France wants to impose a fixed handling fee on small packages before the EU, they need to coordinate with other EU member states. If major importing countries do not follow suit, importers can circumvent any unilateral action by France through the EU single market.

Montchalin said she had discussed this idea with the Dutch government and will hold talks with the new German government in the coming weeks to implement this temporary policy before 2026.

She claimed, "In preparation for the 2028 reform of the customs union, France will advocate at the EU level for the rapid establishment of a mechanism to impose a handling fee on every small package entering the EU."

In addition to imposing a handling fee on small packages, France also announced on the 29th that it would introduce more than a dozen other measures targeting small packages. According to Euractiv, the EU media, large foreign platforms are the main targets of the French government, and future packages from these platforms will face scrutiny by anti-fraud agencies, border security departments, as well as comprehensive checks by other departments on product safety, labeling standards, environmental assessments, etc.

However, Le Parisien pointed out that this move by the French government may provoke dissatisfaction among consumers who like these cheap items. In the past 12 months, over 70% of French residents aged 15 and above have purchased goods from these platforms.

Some French consumers have already begun to complain in the comments section of relevant reports. "These incompetent politicians lack imagination in this regard" "I will continue shopping on e-commerce platforms because I can save a lot of money"...

The move by the United States at the beginning of this month, after several reversals, to finally decide to impose tariffs on small packages has already drawn criticism across the ocean. Industry insiders analyzed for U.S. media that if a tariff is imposed on each package, every package must be inspected, which will slow down the speed of international packages entering the United States. The massive inspection and review work may overwhelm customs staff.

In addition to higher clearance costs and delayed deliveries, this move may also increase costs and product prices, requiring consumers to pay more while possibly waiting longer for their orders.

Regarding the U.S. decision to cancel the tariff exemption policy for small packages, China's Ministry of Commerce responded on April 17, stating that this move will seriously affect the interests of U.S. consumers.

Spokesperson He Yongqian of the Ministry of Commerce emphasized that cross-border e-commerce has unique advantages such as high efficiency, fast delivery, and low costs, better meeting personalized and diversified consumer demands. It is an important trend in the innovative development of international trade and has become an indispensable lifestyle for people.

He Yongqian stressed, "Cross-border e-commerce is a new trade model that benefits hundreds of millions of consumers and aligns with global consumption trends. Relevant policy adjustments should be oriented toward facilitation. We are willing to work with all countries to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, jointly promoting the healthy and sustainable development of cross-border e-commerce."

This article is an exclusive piece by Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7498931071787762203/

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