The amounts of VAT declared for small parcels imported into France reportedly plunged by 48% between June and August, according to Minister of Public Action and Accounts David Amiel. The minister's office sees this as « résultats tangibles » of the European tax introduced in July.
Since 1 July, the European Union has imposed a tax of 3 euros on each category of goods contained in imported parcels worth less than 150 euros. An additional processing fee of 2 euros is to be added from 1 November, under the same terms, with the aim of funding stronger customs checks.
These parcels generally pass through platforms such as Shein, Temu or AliExpress. Near 5.9 billion small parcels entered the European Union in 2025, a volume four times higher than in 2022. Faced with this flood of goods, which is widening the European trade deficit, it is impossible to systematically check every parcel, allowing dangerous or counterfeit products to slip through.
European manufacturers and retailers had long denounced unfair competition. Several countries, France foremost among them, pushed the European Union to act to curb the phenomenon.
A qualified satisfaction
Trade Minister Serge Papin also welcomed the decline in traffic and sales on these platforms. « Ces chiffres envoient des messages forts, que notre action a des effets », he said.
David Amiel, however, qualified these results. « Nous avons encore du travail », he acknowledged, explaining that operators are adapting their logistics and that investigations take time. The 2-euro processing fee set to take effect on 1 November is meant to extend this mechanism, with the stated aim of strengthening customs checks.
