From 2026, Shein and Temu in the crosshairs: France taxes small packages from China. Will your orders be as advantageous?
A new tax imposed by France on Shein and Temu packages from 2026: what it means for your orders
From 2026, a tax will apply in France on small packages from China, directly targeting ultra-popular platforms as Shein et Ago. Objective displayed: drag the surge low-cost commands which today escape a large part of customs duties and strict controls.
What would it consist of? The government intends to establish “Management costs” on each package imported, who will be invoiced not to consumers (therefore rest assured!) But importers and platforms. The amount of this tax would be a lump sum: A few dozen cents at a few euros By sending.
To have
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“In anticipation of the reform of the customs union in 2028, France will defend the rapid establishment at the European level of a mechanism of management costs on each small package entering Europe. The money raised would be used to finance controls ”communicated the cabinet of the Minister of Public Accounts, Amélie de Montchalin.
France seeks to limit the impact of this massive phenomenon. Just in 2024, 800 million small packages (value less than € 150) were delivered in France, of which 91 % came from China. This explosion of imports mainly concerns Shein and Temu, whose growth is dazzling on French territory.
-This tax pursues four main objectives
This tax pursues a quadruple objective, namely: Restore competitionjudged unfair by French merchants; compensate for the shortfallin particular linked to VAT fraud; Finance the strengthening of customs controlsled to triple by 2028; and finally, Reduce the environmental impact Of these cheap packages, often shipped one by one by plane.
Controls at “360 degrees”
This measure is part of a broader plan of Customs modernizationin anticipation of the reform of the European Customs Union mentioned above. The latter could actually delete the current exemption from customs duties on packages of less than 150 € from third countries.
To have
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In the meantime, France wishes to get ahead. Controls at “360 degrees” will take place from 2026 : Verification of safety standards, transparency of labeling, compliance of products, and tracking down tax fraud. The results of these controls will be public and online accessible.
Impact on consumers
Officially, Customers will not directly pay this new tax. However, prices could increase slightlyplatforms passing on these additional costs on sales rates. This could affect the competitiveness of giants like Shein or Temu, which put above all on broken prices.
This French tax turn is also part of a tense global context. With the trade war between the United States and China, and the increase in American customs duties, Chinese export flows could turn to Europe. France therefore wants at all costs Avoid a commercial “invasion” Through Asian platforms.
