The French Government has officially outlined its intention to advocate for the termination of the €150 ($170.80) duty-free exemption on customs charges for e-commerce platforms within EU discussions.
In a statement, the government noted that approximately 1.5 billion parcels enter the country annually. A significant portion of these packages, predominantly sourced from Asia, and notably China, bypass customs duties as their value falls below the €150 threshold.
In 2024 alone, the EU saw an importation of 4.6 billion parcels valued under €150, with a staggering 91% originating from China. This quantity has seen a rapid escalation, doubling first between 2020 and 2022 and then again from 2022 to 2024, according to a report by the European Commission dated 5 February 2025.
In the final quarter of 2024, two Chinese e-commerce platforms Temu and Shein secured their positions among the top ten most frequented online retail sites in France, attracting over 15 million unique visitors per month.
Recently, the EU also revealed plans to eliminate its policy of exempting online purchases valued below €150 from customs duties.
In anticipation of this reform’s actualisation, France has also considered interim solutions. One such proposal is introducing a flat-rate 'management fee' levied on each parcel.
The French government has also outlined several key actions set to commence in 2025. These include intensify inspections on foreign e-commerce platforms and a threefold increase in targeted sampling of e-commerce packages which is expected to result in hundreds of thousands of product rejections.
Product evaluations on e-commerce sites will now concurrently assess adherence to safety standards, accuracy in labelling and environmental claims, as well as scrutinise commercial practices.
The government said that only through collaborative efforts, encompassing both enhanced oversight and reforms to customs regulations, a lasting solution can be achieved to these challenges.
Consequently, France is advocating for a collective recognition of the issue and a joint pledge to address it effectively.
Earlier this month, the UK government commenced a review of its own de minimis regulations that currently permit tax-free entry for goods valued up to £135.
On 2 April, US President Donald trump enacted an executive order that withdraws the duty-free privilege that was previously extended to low-value shipments originating from China and Hong Kong.
This action specifically addresses the de minimis provision, which allowed goods valued at less than $800 to enter the US without being subject to customs duties. The revised stipulations will go into effect from 2 May.
