For several years, Chinese platforms like Shein, Temu, and AliExpress have been attracting massive numbers of French consumers thanks to their unbeatable prices, a plethora of products, and often ridiculously low delivery fees. But the situation is changing in France. After years of empty threats, the government has just announced an unprecedented tightening of customs controls and the introduction of new fees on packages from China. The direct consequences for consumers: orders risk arriving much later... and costing much more.
Chinese packages under surveillance
In 2024, nearly 4.6 billion packages worth less than €150 were shipped from China to the European Union, 91% of which were sent via platforms like Shein or Temu. In France, the figure is staggering, representing around 1.5 billion parcels per year, with an average value of just €8. Until now, these small parcels benefited from a customs duty exemption, making purchases particularly attractive in the face of rising local competition.
But this massive flow is increasingly worrying the authorities. Unfair competition for retailers, increased risks to consumer safety with products that do not always comply with current European standards, the environmental impact of air transport, and lost tax revenue from absent customs duties... the reasons for this outcry are multiple, but the consequences could be very real.
Three times more checks, and additional fees
To stem the tide of goods from Asia, the French government unveiled a tough action plan on April 29, 2025. Starting at the end of this year, customs checks on packages from China will be tripled. The DGCCRF will implement a new, stricter control system, which will systematically verify compliance with safety standards, labeling, and even the declared environmental impact. Everything will be scrutinized.
The objective is twofold: to protect consumers from dangerous products (19% of toys inspected in 2023 were non-compliant) and to improve competition for French companies. As usual, the General Directorate for the Suppression of Fraud also intends to wage an image war against those who break the rules. Similar to what happened to influencers with fraudulent advertising, the results of the inspections will be widely disseminated online to inform the public.
Are prices expected to rise?
Another major change: France will advocate with the European Union for the removal of customs duty exemptions for packages under €150. This reform, expected in 2028, will end a major competitive advantage for Chinese platforms. In the meantime, the government is proposing the introduction of flat-rate handling fees on each package entering Europe from 2026, in order to finance the intensification of inspections. These fees, in the order of a few euros per package or a few tens of cents per item, will be borne by the platforms and importers. However, it is very likely that consumers will be directly impacted, through a slight price increase.
For customers of Shein, Temu, or AliExpress, these measures will have concrete consequences: delivery times will be longer, the risk of being blocked at customs will increase, and you will have to expect to have to pay additional fees upon receipt of the package. The checks will primarily target the largest platforms, but all packages from Asia will potentially be affected.
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