Overview
- Lawmakers approved the measure 208–87 during the first reading of the 2026 budget after late‑night debate.
- The charge targets parcels worth under €150 shipped from outside the EU and will be collected via the VAT channel paid by platforms following a government amendment that secured LFI’s support.
- Implementation is planned for 1 January 2026, with expected annual revenue of about €500 million to buy scanners and hire customs officers.
- The Rassemblement National voted against, calling it a tax on popular consumption and citing very low past inspection rates of about 0.125%.
- Analysts warn sellers could route orders through EU warehouses to avoid the levy, as France pursues coordination with Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg and as EU finance ministers move to scrap duty exemptions for small parcels.