Overview
- French ministers said Wednesday that declared VAT tied to small parcels fell 48% between June and August, which they interpret as a large drop in the number and value of low‑value imports from platforms such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress.
- Traffic and sales data cited by the government show monthly visits down about 42% for Shein, 36% for Temu and 10% for AliExpress, with overall platform sales value reported about 25% lower in September.
- The EU introduced a €3 flat duty per product category on July 1 for imports under €150 and will add a €2 processing fee on November 1, bringing the per‑category charge to €5 and increasing the retail cost of small items.
- Paris has expanded customs powers since March to allow interventions after goods enter the territory and applied a financial malus on ultra‑fast fashion from September 1, with an advertising ban for those products set for January 1, 2027.
- Officials warn operators are adapting logistics and legal limits remain after courts refused to block Shein last year, so France will press in Brussels for stronger platform verification duties and suspension powers under the proposed Product Act.