France Tightens Grip on Small Chinese Packages: Shein and Temu in the Crosshairs

Unity is strength. This Tuesday, April 29, several ministers convened at a logistics warehouse at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport to unveil a series of “concrete actions” aimed at regulating the flow of packages from China. Leading the announcement was Minister of Economy, Éric Lombard, joined by Amélie de Montchalin (Public Accounts), Véronique Louwagie (Commerce), and Clara Chappaz (Digital Affairs). “Global e-commerce has become an economic battleground, and we refuse to let it be a lawless marketplace,” stated the Minister of Public Accounts, who noted that 94% of the products are non-compliant. “To not be overwhelmed by this influx, action is necessary,” she continued.

In further detail, the ministers outlined their plan, which includes enhanced, more effective, and better-coordinated controls with European neighbors. This involves tripling the targeted sampling of e-commerce packages and implementing a new 360-degree inspection doctrine by the DGCCRF. An information campaign will also be launched for consumers regarding products withdrawn following inspections, amplified through social media, the DGCCRF website, and the Rappel Conso site. There will also be improved coordination of fraud repression and customs actions with our European neighbors.

It’s noteworthy that 4.6 billion packages valued under 150 euros entered the European market in 2024, with 91% originating from China—a figure that has doubled between 2022 and 2024. “In France, 800 million packages worth less than 150 euros were delivered last year out of a total of 1.5 billion packages,” Bercy highlighted, focusing on the regulation of platforms in light of the commercial conflict initiated by Donald Trump. This conflict “is reshaping trade flows” and raises concerns about “the potential redirection of Chinese flows to European territories, particularly France,” according to Bercy.

This set of measures comes at a time when, a year after its unanimous adoption by the National Assembly, the law against fast fashion will finally be reviewed by the Senate on June 2 and 3. The lobbying efforts by Shein have led to criticisms of a diluted version of the original bill proposed by Deputy Anne-Cécile Violland. Victoire Satto, founder of the professional media The Good Goods, who was one of the early defenders of the bill alongside Yann Rivoallan, president of the French Women’s Ready-to-Wear Federation, argues, “We need to return to the original text, clarify the definition of fast fashion and the volume thresholds allowed, maintain environmental labeling, the eco-design bonus-malus, and the ban on advertising, which is a major advancement.” She described the revised version as “too passive, even if well-intentioned.”