Overview
- French Customs reported that daily small-parcel declarations fell from about 500,000 to 50,000, cutting the levy’s yield to roughly €2.3 million per month.
- The levy, set at €2 per category of item on parcels under €150, was forecast to raise €400 million in 2026 but is now far below that target.
- Temu, Shein and AliExpress are sending goods first to hubs in other EU states such as Belgium, then trucking them into France to avoid the French charge at the point of entry.
- EU fixes are planned with a €3 duty per item across all member states from July and separate handling fees by November, which France argues will close the detour route.
- Paris-Vatry airport says its activity fell 75% since March, with 17 layoffs planned and reduced hours, while logistics firms report putting staff on partial unemployment.