France suspends national two-euro levy on small consignments from July 1

Paris – 30.06.2026: The French government is suspending the two-euro levy on small consignments, which has been charged since 1 March 2026, effective 1 July. The step is justified by the fact that on the same day an EU-wide flat customs duty of three euros per shipment comes into force, thereby creating a uniform framework for the internal market. The Ministry of Economy and Finance points out that the European provisions adopt the objective of the national measure and that double charges are to be avoided.

According to the customs administration, the French levy fell far short of expectations. Large e-commerce platforms from third countries shifted air freight deliveries to other EU member states and then transported the goods into France by truck. Authorities estimate that the revenue lost due to such reroutings since March amounts to a large part of the potential yield. Instead of the roughly 400 million euros per year targeted in the 2026 budget, only about 2.3 million euros per month flowed in.

With the EU duty of three euros, the previous exemption threshold for small consignments up to 150 euros is eliminated. The aim is to align competitive conditions between providers inside and outside the EU and to curb systematic under-declarations in mass shipments. The duty applies regardless of the platform and is to be applied uniformly in all member states. Paris emphasizes that this creates a legally secure and controllable framework that replaces national solo measures and makes logistical evasive reactions less attractive.

Those mainly affected are shipping flows via platforms such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress as well as their service providers in air and road freight. The Ministry of Economy additionally announces that it will strengthen the powers of the customs administration. These include risk-based checks at central entry points such as the Roissy–Charles‑de‑Gaulle air freight hub, intensified checks on product safety and measures against false declarations of goods’ values and types. In cases of violations fines and seizures are to be enforced consistently.

For consumers the change means that small consignments from third countries will in future be charged uniformly across the EU; the national surcharge in France is abolished. For merchants and logisticians the European rule creates clear tariffs, but at the same time raises the requirements for correct customs data and seamless evidence in the supply chain. How strongly the new flat duty curbs evasion strategies and whether further European steps — for example more real-time data exchange between customs offices — are necessary will probably become apparent in the coming months from control and revenue figures.