Senators vote for €5 tax to be levied on small parcels sent to France
Government wants to keep tax fixed at €2 as higher amount risks being overturned
The level of the tax for small parcels will depend on the final version of the 2026 budget, if it is passed
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French Senators have voted to increase a proposed tax on small parcels sent to France from outside the EU from €2 to €5, going against the government’s wishes.
The tax is considered to be aimed largely at Asian e-commerce sites such as Shein but would ultimately affect all packages with contents valued at less than €150 received from outside the EU.
MPs in the Assemblée nationale voted to include a €2 tax on incoming small parcels as part of the draft 2026 budget.
Members of France’s upper chamber voted to increase this to €5, as a “a clear political signal and a wake-up call,” said Senator Évelyne Renaud-Garabedian.
“The tax… aims to curb the influx of small packages from foreign platforms, often non-compliant with European regulations, which evade customs controls and VAT,” she added.
Approval of the measure is far from assured however, with the draft budget needing to return to MPs for the final say, carrying the risk of MPs voting against its implementation.
Higher fee risks being thrown out
The government has responded negatively to the Senatorial vote, arguing that a higher level could complicate matters.
Minister of Public Accounts Amélie de Montchalin said the €2 tax was proposed as it aligns with incoming EU rules on small parcels.
The EU wants all countries to impose a similar flat sum by November 2026, although some such as Belgium (and potentially France) could implement it as early as January.
By increasing it to €5 per parcel, France’s proposed tax could be viewed legally as a customs duty, outside of the new EU rules, requiring further legal examination and risking a potential cancellation altogether.
Brussels is thought keen to keep taxes the same across the bloc to remove any internal trade friction or manipulation by sending goods to countries where small parcel taxes are at a lower rate to then be transported to their final EU destination.
A €2 charge would raise around €500 million in state revenues, however increasing this to €5 is thought would only generate around €700 to €800 million as higher prices would deter customers from purchasing or shipping items.
