Parcel Tax 2026 Shein Temu | CheckEverything.fr

New Tax on Small Parcels: What's Changing in 2026?

From March 2026, a new customs handling fee applies to small parcels arriving in France from non-EU countries — primarily from China. This measure primarily affects customers of platforms such as Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and Wish. Discover more about changes in March 2026 and explore our banking section.

The Previous "De Minimis" Exemption

Until recently, parcels valued under €150 arriving from outside the EU benefited from a simplified customs procedure known as the de minimis threshold. Under this rule, no customs duties were collected on low-value goods, and the formal import VAT process was streamlined. This exemption was originally designed to reduce administrative burden for occasional private purchases, but it became a significant competitive advantage for ultra-fast-fashion and general merchandise platforms.

The scale of the change is striking. France's customs authority (Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects — DGDDI) estimates that tens of millions of small parcels enter France annually through this channel, the vast majority from Chinese platforms. At zero customs cost to sellers and buyers, these imports put French and EU-based retailers at a structural disadvantage.

What's Changing from March 2026

New handling fee: A fixed fee of €2 per parcel applies to commercial goods under €150 arriving from outside the EU.

Reinforced customs controls: Customs authorities are increasing the frequency of inspections on small parcels. Platforms are required to transmit standardized customs data electronically for each shipment.

Platform declaration obligations: Marketplaces must collect and forward product descriptions, declared values, and seller identities to facilitate proper customs assessment. Platforms failing to comply face suspension from the French market.

Why Was This Measure Introduced?

Funding postal infrastructure: One of the stated objectives of the new fee is to contribute to the cost of processing the surge in international parcel volumes. La Poste and other carriers handling customs clearance bear costs that were not previously recovered on sub-€150 packages.

Leveling the competitive playing field: French retailers — from small boutiques to major chains — pay VAT, corporate taxes, and labor costs that offshore e-commerce platforms have historically avoided through the de minimis loophole. The new fee is a first step toward correcting this imbalance.

Reducing low-quality product flows: Environmental and consumer protection concerns have also been raised. Millions of low-cost synthetic garments shipped by air from China carry a significant carbon footprint and contribute to textile waste. The fee is intended to marginally reduce the price incentive for impulse purchases.

Alignment with EU policy: The European Commission proposed eliminating the de minimis exemption entirely for commercial goods in 2023. France's 2026 measure anticipates and aligns with this EU-level trajectory, which is expected to lead to more comprehensive changes across all member states in the coming years.

Other EU Countries: How Does France Compare?

Several EU countries have already moved ahead of France in taxing low-value imports. Germany introduced customs data requirements earlier, and the Netherlands has tightened its VAT enforcement for marketplace sellers. The EU's customs reform framework, expected to fully take effect by 2028, will standardize the approach across all 27 member states. In comparison, the French €2 fee is a pragmatic interim step — substantial enough to recover some costs, but not so large as to significantly disrupt existing trade patterns.

Concrete Impact on Your Shopping

The impact of the €2 fee varies significantly depending on the order value:

**€15 order** (a common Shein impulse purchase):

New fee adds 13% to your cost — genuinely significant

€30 order:

New fee adds approximately 6–7% — noticeable

€80 order:

New fee adds approximately 2.5% — marginal

**€149 order** (just under the threshold):

New fee adds approximately 1.3% — negligible

For orders over €150, the existing regime already applies: customs duties of 0% to 17% depending on product category, 20% import VAT, and a carrier processing fee of €8 to €15. This makes large orders from outside the EU considerably more expensive than they appear at checkout.

Which Products Are Affected?

The fee applies to commercial shipments of goods under €150 from outside the EU, regardless of the carrier or platform. Most affected categories include:

**Clothing and fast fashion**: By far the largest volume category
**Phone accessories and small electronics**: Cables, cases, chargers, earbuds
**Beauty and skincare products**: Face masks, nail products, cosmetics
**Home decor and accessories**: Small decorative items, storage solutions
**Toys and hobby items**: Board game accessories, model kits, craft supplies

Exemptions that remain in place:

Genuine gifts sent between private individuals (valued under €45) continue to be exempt
Personal belongings returning with travelers are handled under different rules
Certain categories of humanitarian or professional imports may qualify for exemption with documentation

Which Carriers Are Affected?

The fee applies regardless of which carrier delivers the parcel — La Poste (Colissimo), DHL, FedEx, UPS, and Chinese carriers such as Cainiao (Alibaba's logistics arm) are all subject to the same rules. The method of collection varies:

Some platforms add the fee at checkout
Some carriers collect it upon delivery
In some cases, the parcel may be held at a customs office for payment

It's worth checking your order confirmation carefully to understand how and when the fee will be applied.

How Shein, Temu, and AliExpress Are Adapting

Major platforms are actively working to minimize the impact on their customers:

**Shein** has been investing in European warehouses in Poland and Romania. Orders shipped from EU warehouses are not subject to the small parcel tax and also benefit from faster delivery. However, not all products are available from EU stock.

**Temu** is developing a local EU seller marketplace model, inviting European merchants to sell through its platform. This allows the platform to offer goods without international customs implications.

**AliExpress** has expanded its "Local Warehouse" program, which clearly flags items shipping from within Europe. Filtering for local warehouse items at checkout lets shoppers avoid customs fees and benefit from faster delivery times.

Tips for Shoppers

Check warehouse location before ordering: Many platforms now display whether stock ships from an EU warehouse. Always filter for this option when available.

Calculate the true total cost: Product price + shipping + €2 fee + any carrier handling charges. Then compare honestly with equivalent items from EU retailers or second-hand platforms.

Explore European alternatives: Vinted offers second-hand fashion at comparable or lower prices with full EU consumer protection. Zalando, ASOS, and similar platforms hold EU stock. Local vintage and charity shops often offer unique finds.

Buy less, buy better: The fee provides an opportunity to be more intentional about purchases. A slightly higher price for a better-quality EU-made item is often a better long-term value than multiple low-cost purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this apply to orders already placed?

No. The fee applies only to orders placed after the measure takes effect. Parcels already in transit at the implementation date are handled under the previous rules.

How is the €2 collected?

Depending on the platform and carrier: some platforms add it to the checkout total, some carriers collect it on delivery, and some parcels may be held at a customs depot requiring payment to release.

Can I refuse a parcel to avoid the fee?

Yes, but you would lose the product. Whether you receive a refund depends entirely on the seller's return policy.

Does this affect personal packages from friends abroad?

Genuine gifts between private individuals (not commercial transactions) under €45 remain exempt. However, customs may scrutinize packages declared as gifts.

Is it illegal to split orders to stay under the threshold?

Deliberately splitting a single commercial order into multiple shipments to reduce declared value is considered customs fraud and can result in seizure of goods and financial penalties.

Sources and References

The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute personal advice. We recommend consulting a professional for any important decisions.

Small Parcel Tax 2026: Shein, Temu, AliExpress - What's Changing