European Small Parcel Tariffs Take Effect, Chinese E-commerce Faces Setback in France
The European Union’s new small parcel tariff regime came into effect on July 1, leading to a significant decline in traffic and sales for Chinese e-commerce platforms operating in France. Traffic on Temu alone dropped by 42% compared to the same month last year. Nonetheless, French industry experts remain cautiously optimistic about the situation. At the same time, EU member states are currently discussing the implementation of an additional €2 harmonized handling fee across the bloc.
The EU will formally abolish the duty-free status for goods valued below €150 starting July 1, 2026. A temporary customs duty of €3 per category will be imposed on packages originating from cross-border platforms such as Temu, AliExpress, and Shein. This measure aims to close longstanding tax loopholes. The impact on major Chinese e-commerce players has already become evident after nearly two months of implementation.
According to Médiamétrie, Shein’s website traffic declined by 36% in July alone, while Temu experienced a drop of over 40%.
Survey data indicates that average product prices on these Chinese platforms hover around €10. The introduction of a €3 tariff substantially increases purchase costs. Nearly half of surveyed consumers reported reducing their frequency of orders on these platforms. Rather than making impulsive purchases of low-cost items for convenience, shoppers are now adopting more consolidated ordering strategies.
Mark Lollivier, general representative of the French E-commerce Federation, stated: “We are now observing a general price increase across these platforms. With the implementation of the EU small parcel tax, product pricing is moving closer to that of domestic French brands, enhancing their competitiveness. This development represents a positive signal for the French economy and reflects the fairness of the policy.”
Chinese Platforms Adjust in Response
Gilda Minvielle, researcher at the Economic Observatory of the French Fashion Institute, warned: “Faced with the new tariff barrier in Europe, these Chinese e-commerce platforms are adapting their operations. For instance, Shein has established a warehouse in Poland, enabling it to hold inventory within the EU. As a result, goods sold from this local stock are exempt from the standard import duties typically applied to goods originating outside the EU.”
Analysts note that Chinese e-commerce firms will likely continue adjusting their models. The current rise in taxes has already been passed on to consumers, increasing living costs—particularly for low-income households.
The broader EU initiative to impose tariffs on small parcels aims to curb the influx of large volumes of low-priced Chinese goods, many of which originate from Asian platforms such as Shein, Temu, and AliExpress. These goods do not always meet European safety standards. Additionally, the revenue generated from these taxes is intended to finance stricter customs enforcement actions across the bloc.
Data shows that nearly 5.9 billion small parcels entered the European market in 2025—equivalent to over 180 parcels per second—four times the volume recorded in 2022. Of these, 93% originated in China. The sheer scale has overwhelmed European customs personnel, who often lack the capacity to inspect each shipment, allowing numerous hazardous or counterfeit products to enter the market.
EU Commission Proposes Additional €2 Handling Fee
On September 21, the European Commission proposed a new legislative draft calling for an additional €2 handling fee on small parcels imported from non-EU countries.
In addition to the existing €3 tariff on goods valued below €150, introduced this year, the new fee would require an extra €2 payment per product category included in the package. Both fees apply to each distinct category within a single parcel. Consequently, if a package contains multiple product types falling under different categories, it may be subject to repeated charges for both the tariff and the handling fee.
The fees aim to offset the direct and indirect costs incurred by EU member states and the European Customs Authority in monitoring and clearing goods shipped remotely from third countries, responding to the surge in foreign e-commerce platforms and the rapid growth of small-volume imports from China.
The European Parliament and national governments are currently engaged in close consultations on the proposal, with the €2 harmonized handling fee expected to be implemented officially on November 1, 2024.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877462259233795/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author.