EU introduces €3 small‑parcel tax, France drops its own surcharge

From 1 July 2026 the European Union will apply a €3 charge per product category on parcels imported from non‑EU countries whose value is under €150. The fee is temporary, lasting until 1 July 2028, after which a full customs regime will replace the exemption. It targets the surge of low‑price shipments from Asian platforms such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress, which accounted for about 91 % of the 5.8 billion small parcels entering the EU in 2025 – roughly 12 million per day.

France had planned a separate €2 national surcharge on the same parcels, hoping to raise up to €400 million a year. The measure proved ineffective; most shipments were rerouted to hub locations in Belgium, the Netherlands or other EU states, generating only a few million euros in revenue. On the eve of implementation, the French government withdrew the surcharge, leaving the EU’s €3 per‑category fee as the sole charge. The tax is calculated by product type, not by individual item, so a single parcel containing a dress and sunglasses would incur two €3 fees.

Consumer groups warn that platforms might shift the cost to buyers at delivery, despite rules requiring price transparency. Logistics providers are preparing for a possible additional administrative fee of €2 per parcel later in 2026. The measure is described as a transitional step to address unfair competition and product safety concerns while the EU reforms its customs system.