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France is calling on the European Union to act quickly to limit the influence of large Chinese online platforms such as Shein and Temu, which export cheap goods to Europe bypassing customs taxes and security checks. This is reported byReuters.
French Budget Minister Amelie de Montchalain said that starting in 2025, Paris proposes to introduce an additional fee on low-value parcels to avoid tax losses and protect consumers from potentially dangerous products.
“These goods pose a threat to public health, damage to brands due to counterfeiting, and large losses to the state budget,” the official said during an inspection of the Charles de Gaulle airport warehouse.
The current EU customs rule allows for the exemption of online purchases of up to €150, but the European Commission planned to remove this exemption only by 2028. France is demanding that this process be accelerated or that a transitional mechanism be introduced in the form of parcel handling fees.
European retailers have been sounding the alarm for a long time: tax-free advantages allow platforms operating without warehouses in the EU to undercut prices and harm local businesses.
Shein said it complies with all local laws. Temu did not comment.
French customs officials are also stepping up inspections of goods, focusing on cosmetics, medicines and products that may not meet safety standards.
The situation in Ukraine: similar threats
Although not a member of the EU, Ukraine also actively imports goods from Shein, Temu and similar platforms. According to Ukrainian customs data, in 2023 alone, more than 60% of international small parcels came from China, a significant portion of which came from these retailers.
“Ukraine needs to synchronise its customs policy with the EU and protect its producers and consumers. It is necessary to introduce mandatory identification of sellers, strengthen inspections and remove preferential conditions for Chinese platforms,” said Iryna Ivanova, economist at the Centre for Economic Strategy.
