France is calling on the European Commission to impose a handling fee on small parcels arriving from Chinese fast fashion giants like Temu and Shein, in a bid to stem a potential flood of redirected goods following US tariff hikes.

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Industry Minister Éric Lombard said Paris would begin working with EU counterparts on mechanisms to protect the bloc’s internal market from what he described as “dumping” by Chinese e-commerce platforms. The move comes amid growing concern that goods originally destined for the United States — now facing a 145% tariff under President Donald Trump — could instead be rerouted into Europe.

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At an event held at Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport on Tuesday, Lombard said the proposal would target parcels valued under €150, which are currently exempt from EU customs duties. The French government wants the new “handling fee” in place by 2026 and has pledged to pursue it through coordinated EU action, not unilateral measures.

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“The aim is to re-inject equity into this system and slow down the flows,” Lombard said, referencing the surge in low-cost online imports. “E-commerce has transformed our consumption habits, but foreign platforms like Temu and Shein pose major challenges.”

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Paris is not alone in pushing back. Nordic countries including Sweden, Denmark and Norway recently declared they would collaborate to restrict harmful imports from platforms like Temu, Shein and Wish. Sweden’s Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari said her country has long advocated removing customs exemptions for small parcels.

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France has already introduced national-level measures aimed at addressing the environmental impact of fast fashion, including extended producer responsibility (EPR) fees to fund textile waste management. Now, it is turning to Brussels to act on cross-border parcel flows.

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EU officials have also taken notice. The Commission recently announced a new e-commerce action plan to coordinate customs and market surveillance, including stricter checks on counterfeit and non-compliant products.

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Both Shein and Temu are currently under EU scrutiny for potential consumer protection and product safety breaches.

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The push for an EU-wide parcel levy follows concern from French retailers, represented by e-commerce lobby Fevad, who say local platforms are losing ground due to “unjustified advantages that Asian sites enjoy.” Fevad called for swift EU action to ensure fair competition.

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Though some speculated France might move ahead alone, the government confirmed that any fee would require EU-level implementation. “Let us keep in mind that we are in a customs union,” Lombard said, adding that while transitional measures are being considered, “it will not be done without Europe.”

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