In its fight against the Chinese e-commerce site Shein, which has sold both childlike sex dolls and illegal weapons, France has persuaded the European Union (EU) to step in and assist. On Thursday, November 13, the finance ministers of the 27 member states, meeting in Brussels, approved the principle that, starting from the first quarter of 2026, parcels valued at less than €150 would no longer be exempt from tariffs, as they are today.

“France took the initiative to respond to the phenomenon of small parcels, and it paid off,” said French Economy Minister Roland Lescure, adding that the EU has taken “a big step toward economic sovereignty.” The political agreement reached on Thursday still needs to be translated into legal terms and is expected to be formally adopted at the next meeting of the European finance ministers scheduled for December 12.

The tariff rates to be applied to these parcels are yet to be determined. The European Commission has advocated for a flat rate, whereas France favors a fixed charge – such as €5 per package – arguing that Chinese exporters do not hesitate to undervalue their packages.

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