Shopping on Chinese platforms like Shein, Temu, or AliExpress might soon cost you more. EU member states approved this Friday, December 13, 2025 a flat tax of 3 euros on all small parcels imported from outside the EU valued at less than 150 euros. The new rule will come into effect on July 1, 2026, marking a significant step in the battle against the flood of cheap Asian products flooding the European market.
Specifically, this €3 tax will not be directly charged to consumers but will instead be billed to e-commerce platforms and transport companies. It remains to be seen whether these companies will pass on the additional cost to customers through higher product prices or delivery fees. As of now, it's impossible to predict the exact impact on prices for us, the consumers. What is certain, however, is that this measure marks a victory for French Economy Minister Roland Lescure, who championed this initiative at the European level.
The goal is clear: level the playing field between local shops and the giants of Asian e-commerce. To put it into perspective, over 4.6 billion parcels under €150 entered the European market in 2024 — more than 145 every second. Of these, 91% came from China, according to data from the European Commission. "These parcels today represent unfair competition compared to city center stores, which pay taxes. It’s crucial to act — and quickly," emphasized Roland Lescure.
Beyond the economic concerns, security clearly takes center stage. The overwhelming influx of small parcels arriving at European airports and ports makes customs inspections nearly impossible. Under these circumstances, intercepting dangerous, counterfeit, or non-compliant products before they reach consumers becomes a formidable challenge. In France, last year, just 0.125% of parcels were inspected—a stark illustration of the scale of the problem.
A €3 fee will be applied to all packages arriving from countries outside the European Union and valued under €150. However, the calculation isn't as straightforward as it seems. According to information from the EU Council, if a package contains multiple units of the same item — for example, two identical T-shirts — the fee will only be charged once. On the other hand, if your package includes different products — say, a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and some socks — you'll need to pay €3 for each product category, totaling €9.
This regulation could quickly drive up the cost of online shopping. A typical cart on Shein with five inexpensive items might end up incurring a European duty fee of around 15 euros, not including VAT. The price advantage offered by Chinese platforms is likely to fade significantly for these types of purchases. Although the rule mainly targets Asian sites like Shein, Temu, or AliExpress, it will also affect shipments coming from other third-party countries, whether it’s the United States or elsewhere.
This new tax on small parcels is just the first step in a broader European crackdown. It’s a temporary measure set to run from July 1, 2026, until the customs union reform scheduled for 2028. The tax also comes on top of the removal of the duty exemption previously available for these small shipments—an adjustment already greenlit by European finance ministers that will take effect starting in 2026.
Starting in November 2026, a handling fee of two euros per package is set to be introduced on these shipments, according to proposals from Brussels. This fee is intended to fund enhanced customs controls and help level the playing field between European products and Chinese competition. Several member countries, including France and Italy, have already announced plans to implement similar processing fees at the national level.
France had initially pushed for the rollout of a new system in the first quarter of 2026, but the complexities involved in setting up a transitional framework pushed that timeline back to July. The ultimate goal remains to develop a customs data platform that will significantly streamline the collection of duties and enhance control measures. In the meantime, a flat fee of 3 euros, which is far more deterrent than a proportional tax, is expected to slow the influx of inexpensive Chinese goods.
In short, if you're a fan of snagging deals on Shein, Temu, or AliExpress, better make the most of it while you still can. Starting July 2026, shipping costs could see a significant hike. To stay updated on this development and get all the details about this new tax, check out the European Commission website or the French Ministry of Economy.
