Shein says prices in France may rise due to EU fee

Shein says French consumers may face higher prices if the EU imposes handling fees and France enacts new penalties on fast fashion. The platform criticizes the lack of dialogue with authorities as pressure mounts on budget e-commerce models.

Shein has warned that shoppers in France could soon pay significantly more for their orders if proposed European Union and French regulations targeting low-cost online retailers are adopted.

Speaking to Sud Radio, Quentin Ruffat, Shein’s spokesperson in France, voiced concern over two key developments: an EU proposal to introduce a handling fee on e-commerce shipments entering the bloc, and a French bill that imposes penalties on fast-fashion products due to their environmental impact.

"Why tax us? Why not have a discussion, find a solution between public officials and e-commerce platforms?" Ruffat questioned during the interview.

Under the EU proposal, a €2 fee would be charged on each package shipped directly to a customer within the 27-member bloc, while a smaller €0.50 fee would apply to parcels processed through EU-based warehouses. The plan is widely seen as a blow to platforms like Shein and rival Temu, which have built global businesses by offering inexpensive goods and taking advantage of customs exemptions for low-value items.

Ruffat also cited the French bill, which was passed by the lower house of parliament in March and is seen as specifically targeting fast-fashion giants. He warned that by 2030, the combined effects of the EU fee and the French legislation could raise the price of Shein products in France by as much as €12 per item.

While the proposed EU measure still requires approval from member states and the European Parliament, France - one of the most influential voices in the bloc - has already backed the fee.

The European Commission previously announced it would end the exemption from customs duties for e-commerce packages valued under €150 by 2028. Meanwhile, the U.S. has also recently moved to tighten oversight by eliminating its "de minimis" rule, which had allowed duty-free entry for packages under $800.

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