Small parcels from China: European tax causes imports to plummet by up to 40%

The European tax imposed on small parcels since July 1st is already having a significant impact. According to data from French customs released by the Ministry of the Economy, the imports concerned have decreased by 30% to 40% across the European Union.

The measure primarily targets low-priced goods shipped from China by major online marketplaces. Shein, Temu, and AliExpress have largely contributed to the explosion in the number of parcels entering the European market daily, raising economic, environmental, and customs concerns.

A European tax of three euros per parcel

The European Union now applies a three-euro tax on small imported parcels. This measure is intended to reduce the advantage enjoyed by Asian platforms and to finance some of the controls necessary to handle the considerable volume of goods. It comes after a French surcharge whose effects were deemed insufficient.

Economy Minister Roland Lescure welcomed these initial results at the French Business Leaders' Meeting organized by the Medef (French Business Confederation). "Facing China, there is no inevitability," he declared. The government presents this decline as proof that a coordinated response at the European level can change the practices of online platforms and import habits.