Led by France, eight European countries are calling on the European Commission and member states to act. They should increase their “collective mobilization”. This is given the “systemic risks” they say posed by e-commerce platforms such as Chinese online retailer Shein and its competitors. A corresponding letter was sent to Brussels on Monday.
“We call on the Commission to address vigorously and tirelessly the issue of unfair competition by e-commerce platforms from third countries,” declare the signatory states. These include Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Hungary and Poland.
Towards an investigation and tougher sanctions
The European Commission has already sent requests for information to Shein. This process may lead to the opening of a formal investigation. This is what the French Trade Minister Serge Papin, who initiated this letter, is calling for.
The minister made the comments during the Competitiveness Council organized in Brussels on Monday. He considered that this investigation should be complemented by interim measures. The aim is to reduce the systemic risks that are not controlled by Shein and other platforms. Papin also called for “additional sanctions” in the “proceedings already initiated against Temu and AliExpress.”
France is urging the European Commission to act as combating systemic risks of large platforms falls within its remit. The French state had previously tried to block Shein through administrative proceedings at the beginning of November. That attempt has so far been unsuccessful, with the court ruling expected on December 19th.
Customs controls and taxes on packages
The signatory countries want to protect consumers and companies from “risks” such as the sale of illegal products or unfair business practices. Therefore, they demand the strict application of current law. This includes, for example, the Digital Services Act (DSA).
They advocate “coordinated efforts.” This is intended to strengthen controls by customs and consumer protection authorities. They also call on the European Commission to play an active role. It should review the existing regulations. If necessary, the “obligations for online platforms” should be tightened.
Finally, the signatories are calling for the introduction of a European tax on low-value parcels. Such a measure is already foreseen at national level, particularly in France. As a reminder, the EU finance ministers agreed to the abolition of customs exemptions for small import packages in mid-November. This could come into force as early as the first quarter of 2026.
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