Overview
- The National Assembly passed the levy by 208–87, applying to parcels worth under €150 shipped from outside the European Union.
- The government projects about €500 million in annual proceeds to pay for parcel scanners and additional customs officers.
- Collection can run through the VAT channel to involve e-commerce platforms, a change that secured support from La France Insoumise.
- Implementation is slated for January 1, 2026, complementing an EU decision to scrap small‑parcel duty exemptions and mirroring early moves by Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
- Critics, including the Rassemblement National, warn of consumer impacts and question effectiveness, with experts citing possible rerouting through other EU warehouses.