Since 1 March 2026, a new tax has applied to your Shein, Temu and AliExpress orders. In practical terms, what does this mean for your wallet? We'll explain everything.
We've been talking about it for months. Now it's official: the tax on small parcels (TPC) came into force on Sunday 1 March 2026. The measure directly targets the giants of ultra fast-fashion: Shein, Temu, AliExpress - whose imports into France have literally exploded in recent years. From 175 million items imported by 2022, the country went to more than 826 million by 2025. That's almost one article per inhabitant... per week.
But in practical terms, what will this change for you? The reality is more complex - and more costly - than many people anticipate.
It's not €2 per parcel. It's €2 per category of products
This is where many will be surprised. Small parcel tax doesn't work by parcel or physical item, but by customs category - a 6-digit code called the HS6 code.
Here's how it works in practice:
- You order 5 cotton T-shirts : → 2 € tax (same category)
- You order 1 T-shirt + 1 pair of headphones + 1 piece of jewellery : → 6 € tax (3 separate categories)
- You order 3 t-shirts and 2 joggers : → potentially 4 € if cotton and polyester are classified differently
A simple rule: the more varied your basket, the higher the tax on small parcels. And those who place «catch-all» orders for 15 or 20 different items are in for a rude awakening.
Who pays, you or the platform?
On paper, it's Shein, Temu or AliExpress who are liable for the tax - as with import VAT. But in practice, don't kid yourself.
These platforms operate on tiny unit margins. They will not be able to absorb the extra cost. Expect the tax to be passed on in advertised prices, in the delivery charges, or in the form of «customs processing fees» added to basket.
As a result, a T-shirt selling for €5 on Shein could quickly exceed €10 once the tax has been added.
And there's more to come: July 2026 is just around the corner.
The €2 French tax is just the first step. From 1st July 2026, a European customs duty of Additional €3 per category will be added.
Total : 5 per category from the summer onwards. For a mixed basket (clothes + accessories + gadgets), you can easily reach 10 to €15 tax on an order worth just €20.
The calculation quickly becomes unfavourable.
The big risk: bypassing
A number of experts and Aéroports de Paris (ADP) have pointed to a major risk: platforms could simply redirect their logistics flows to European hubs that are not subject to the French tax - such as Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport. Liège, Belgium - then transport the parcels by lorry. This scenario would deprive the measure of some of its effectiveness.
Shein himself made no secret of this possibility, pointing out that goods legally imported into an EU Member State can circulate freely throughout the Union.
What are the government's objectives?
The government puts forward two main justifications:
- Combating unfair competition Asian platforms vis-à-vis European businesses
- Financing customs The tax on small parcels is expected to raise around 500 million euros per year, used to reinforce customs controls, overwhelmed by the influx of parcels
A third, more discreet objective is also mentioned: reducing the carbon footprint of the millions of daily cargo flights crossing Asia and Europe.
What can be done?
A few simple reflexes to limit the damage:
- Group your purchases by category Ordering 5 t-shirts of the same type costs just €2 tax
- Compare with European alternatives the final price difference is often less spectacular than before
- Wait for bundled promotions one well-organised order is better than 3 small, varied orders
- Keep an eye on treatment costs that will be appearing in your shopping baskets over the next few weeks
Structural change, not just another small parcel tax
This measure marks a real turning point. France is the first major European economy to act so directly on this flow. Italy led the way in January. A harmonised European directive is due to take over at the end of 2026.
We can debate the real effectiveness of this measure. But one thing is certain: the era of €3 t-shirts delivered tax-free is well and truly over.
Sources: Moneyvox, Franceinfo, Siècle Digital, Bourseinsider, Reporterre - March 2026
Category: Economy
Nonsense!
Thanks for the clarification on the calculation per ‘SH6 category’, it's the detail that changes everything! I thought it was €2 per parcel, but if you end up paying €6 or €8 more because you've mixed up socks and gadgets, the order loses all interest. I'm clearly going to have to rethink the way I order and maybe even compare it with the prices in shop here, because the gap is seriously narrowing.
Finally, a concrete measure to curb this ecological and economic aberration! We can't decently import 800 million items a year by plane without any taxation, while our local businesses are crumbling under the burden.