EU customs fee drives 30% to 40% drop in low-value parcel imports from China

Drop in parcel import volumes

Imports of low-value parcels into the European Union dropped between 30% and 40% in the weeks following the introduction of a new customs fee, according to data from French Customs announced by the French Ministry of the Economy on 27 August 2026. The regulation, which entered into force on 1 July 2026, imposes a flat tariff of three euros on each product category contained within consignments valued under 150 euros. Prior to this measure, small shipments entered the single market entirely free of customs duties. The charge accumulates across product categories, meaning a single parcel carrying items from two distinct classifications, such as clothing and electronic toys, incurs a total charge of six euros. In 2025, nearly 5.9 billion small packages entered the European Union without customs duties, representing more than 180 parcels per second and a fourfold increase over 2022 volume levels, with 93% originating from China.

Diverging impact on Chinese platforms

The import duty has affected Chinese e-commerce retailers at varying rates during its first full month of application. Data compiled by the transaction monitoring service Joko from 1.5 million banking users shows that sales volumes between June and July fell by 50% for Temu and 37% for AliExpress. Over the same period, the average shopping basket size rose by 30% on Temu and 27% on AliExpress as consumers consolidated purchases. Shein showed greater stability, recording a sales volume drop of 15%. This resilience is linked to Shein opening an extensive logistics warehouse in Poland in late 2025, which lowered its exposure to direct cross-border parcel duties. Logistics operators, including DHL and Leipzig/Halle airport, indicated that the downturn may represent an initial logistical adjustment as freight routes and supply chains adapt, rather than a permanent market collapse.

Political reaction and British market divergence

Speaking at the Medef annual business conference on 27 August 2026, French Economy Minister Roland Lescure welcomed the trade figures and argued that public policy can effectively alter import flows.

Against China, there is no inevitability. If we put the right public policies in place, we can win, we will win.

Platform representatives expressed opposition to the new levy. In comments provided to AFP, an AliExpress representative criticized the measure.

The very design of these measures has fundamental flaws, weighing disproportionately on low-income households across Europe.

Data from outside the European Union demonstrates the specific influence of the tariff. In the United Kingdom, where cross-border parcel tax rules remain unchanged, data from NielsenIQ indicated that Chinese platforms recorded a 5% increase in sales value in July.

Product safety concerns and future customs reform

European authorities implemented the tariff following safety investigations into low-value shipments entering the bloc. A testing campaign conducted across the European Union in 2025 determined that over 60% of inspected low-value goods failed to comply with European safety requirements or regulatory standards. Public officials, industry groups, and lawmakers had raised repeated concerns regarding unfair commercial competition, product hazards, and environmental costs linked to high freight volumes. The three-euro flat duty is designed as a temporary solution scheduled to remain active until 1 July 2028, when a centralized digital customs platform is set to launch. In November 2026, the European Union will add a separate handling fee, estimated at approximately two euros per parcel, to help fund customs inspection services.