Customers of China-based e-commerce sites such as Shein, Temu, and AliExpress are expected to experience significantly longer delivery times for their purchases. In addition, additional fees may apply in some cases. France has just tightened its border controls on parcels. Explanations.
Are you currently taking advantage of the French Days to order from ultra-popular foreign e-commerce sites like Shein, Temu, or AliExpress? Unfortunately, you will have to expect significantly longer delivery times and possible additional customs fees. pay. On Tuesday, April 29, the government announced a series of measures intended to better regulate online commerce and its excesses.
For several years, a handful of sales sites based in China have attracted French consumers. These platforms were previously exempt from customs fees, as long as the market value of each package was less than €150. Thus, in 2024, no fewer than 4.18 billion parcels from Chinese e-commerce sites landed in the hands of European consumers.
Ordering from Chinese e-commerce sites is becoming significantly less attractive
This still represented 91% of parcels passing under the radar of customs in European Union member states. While the number of parcels ordered from China continues to experience rapid growth, a very pernicious phenomenon has taken hold. Encouraged by paltry or even non-existent shipping costs, European consumers have increased the average value of these imports to less than 10 euros.
These items also rarely meet the standards in force in Europe – when they don't represent a downright danger during use. Not to mention that they are produced in an area where manufacturing costs are much lower, all with very different standards in terms of labor law. Beyond the absence of customs fees, the price of items ordered on these platforms does not include any VAT.
This is enough to seriously harm manufacturers and other local players with prices that are impossible to compete with. This is why the Ministry of the Economy will ask Brussels is ending the famous exemption applying to packages worth less than €150. While immediately applying new flat-rate "management fees" in France. This should result in customs fees to be paid upon receipt of packages containing items purchased from Shein, Temu, and others.
But that's not all. The DGCCRF will triple compliance checks. Beyond product safety, manufacturer claims regarding the environment and labeling will also be verified. The DGCCRF will also communicate on the dangerous items it seizes. And inform consumers about the likely danger of similar products.
Customs action will primarily target the largest platforms. And dissuasive sanctions will apply to importers guilty of fraud. In short, you will have understood, you will have to wait quite a long time for your set ordered on Shein, if it is not seized by customs. All for a price, in the end, much less attractive.
0 Comments