French customs data show EU small-package tax cuts Chinese imports by 30 to 40 percent
The European Union's new flat €3 duty on parcels under €150 has sharply reduced low-value imports from China, with French figures indicating a 30 to 40 percent drop in volume. Simultaneously, former EU President Charles Michel expressed optimism that trade negotiations between Beijing and Brussels could yield results before year-end.
Small packages shipped from China to Europe have plummeted following the European Union's introduction of a flat customs duty on low-value items effective July 1. The new rule imposes a €3 fee per product category for parcels valued at €150 or less, ending a previous exemption that allowed billions of such items to enter the EU free of charge. French customs figures indicate the total number of small parcels imported into the European Union fell by 30 to 40 percent since the tax began. This data comes from the French economy ministry on Thursday. Sales volumes on major platforms dropped sharply between June and July, with Temu declining 50 percent and AliExpress down 37 percent. Shein recorded a smaller decline of 15 percent due to planned warehouse expansions in Poland starting late 2025. In 2025 alone, 5.9 billion low-value items entered the EU, averaging over 16 million parcels daily. Despite recent tariffs, former European Council President Charles Michel described his outlook on China-EU trade as bullish. Speaking in Shanghai, he stated that both sides are willing to find common ground and expects progress by the end of October or November at the latest. The four consultation tracks remain open and cover trade and investment, export controls, intellectual property rights, and World Trade Organization reform.
