Since October 2021, a floor price on shipping costs for books on the Internet was in preparation, after the adoption of a law by the National Assembly. The goal? Privilege the purchase of books in bookstores rather than on e-commerce sites, such as Amazon, which offered until now almost non-existent shipping costs, which could not borrow the book industry. FromOctober 2023, a 3 euro fee will be added for the delivery of your book, if you buy it for less than 35 euros.
This is bad news for those who appreciated the low shipping costs or live in areas without bookstores, but it is a good way to maintain the single price of books, as set by the Lang law. The order published in the Official Journal specifies that the measure will only be applicable on October 7th, and that it concerns all orders containing a book. For example, if you buy a bicycle pump and a book, for less than 35 euros, the shipping costs will still apply, despite the addition of another item. Above this amount, the shipping costs remain at 0.01 euro.
While the e-commerce platforms considered this an inflation for consumers, the booksellers wanted the threshold to be even higher. This is the first time that such a device is put in place in the world, like the Lang law in its time, which allowed to maintain a network of independent bookstores rather dense.
Literary Events to Catch This March 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France
Big and small readers, Paris and its surrounding region always have something special in store for you! This French capital, home to countless poets and writers over the centuries, will be hosting a series of literary events in March 2026 that you won't want to miss! [Read more]
Literary Events to Catch This March 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France
