From Two to Five Euros: The Senate Wants to Increase the Tax on Small Packages

On the 1st December 2025, senators voted to increase from two to five euros the tax targeting “small packages” worth less than 150 euros of non-European origin.

Against the advice of the government, senators voted on Monday 1st December 2025 to increase the tax from two euros to five euros , already approved by the National Assembly and targeting those “small packages” worth less than 150 euros of non-european origin.

These votes are not yet final because the finance project for 2026 (PLF 2026) will continue to be examined in Parliament until mid-December at the earliest. They intervene while the platform of online commerce of Chinese origin Shein is under fire from critics, accused of selling numerous non-compliant and illicit products.

“A clear political signal and an electric shock”

The tax defended by the government in the finance project for 2026 aims to curb the surge of small packages linked to foreign platforms, often non-compliant with European rules, which escape customs controls and VAT.

“These platforms weaken our shops, it’s a flood of non-compliant products and a misappropriation of VAT”, denounced Senator Évelyne Renaud-Garabedian.

The increase in this tax from two to five euros is intended “a clear political signal and an electric shock”, she added.

Too high, the tax can be contested

The Minister of Public Accounts Amélie de Montchalin defended the initial amount of 2 euros, the concerted response of the European Union, who should introduce this tax from the 1st November 2026, and France and the Benelux who plan to implement it from the 1st January.

Beyond two euros, the tax would no longer necessarily be considered as a “control fee” but as a customs duty. As a result, it can be contested, justified the minister.

She recalled that the measure aims to secure massive flows – 800 million articles in 2024 – and avoid the entry of dangerous products. That’s not all: there is also an economic aspect.

At two euros per package, the yield is estimated at 500 million euros by Bercy. At five euros, it could reach 700 to 800 million without exceeding double, explained the minister, because the tax would have a strong behavioral effect, moreover sought after, with a drop in demand for these packages.