Finance
EU plan for 2 euro fee on low-value parcels "a joke", says Carrefour boss
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on July 2, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Quick Summary
Carrefour's CEO calls the EU's proposed 2 euro fee on low-value parcels a 'joke', urging faster implementation to protect retailers.
Carrefour Chief Calls EU's 2 Euro Parcel Fee Proposal Absurd
PARIS (Reuters) -A European Union proposal to charge a 2 euro ($2.36)handling fee on low-value e-commerce packages coming into the bloc is "a joke", the head of Carrefour, Europe's largest food retailer, said on Wednesday.
The EU unveiled plans in May to end the duty-free treatment of low-value consignments worth no more than 150 euros and impose a 2 euro fee in 2028, as the bloc faces a surge in imports of billions of goods sold by online platforms such as Shein and Temu.
"This is a joke (...) Let's do a Trump tax, 100% of the value of the packages. There's a limit to low prices at all costs," Alexandre Bompard, who also heads the French Retailers Federation (FCD), told RTL radio.
He also urged the EU to move much faster with its proposed fees.
"If that price means the disappearance of toy manufacturers, textile manufacturers, small retailers, specialized retailers, and a crazy ecological bill, we can't pay that price, it's too high. And not in 2027, not tomorrow," he added.
Retailers in Greece have also urged Brussels to bring forward the fees.
($1 = 0.8490 euros)
(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon. Editing by Dominique Patton)
Key Takeaways
- •Carrefour CEO criticizes EU's 2 euro parcel fee proposal.
- •The fee targets low-value e-commerce packages entering the EU.
- •Alexandre Bompard suggests a more substantial tax instead.
- •The proposal aims to end duty-free treatment of packages.
- •Retailers urge the EU to implement the fee sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions about EU plan for 2 euro fee on low-value parcels "a joke", says Carrefour boss
1What is the EU's proposed fee for low-value parcels?
The EU has proposed a 2 euro handling fee on low-value e-commerce packages coming into the bloc.
2What did Carrefour's CEO say about the EU's proposal?
Alexandre Bompard described the proposal as 'a joke' and suggested a more drastic measure, likening it to a 'Trump tax'.
3What concerns did Bompard express regarding the fee?
Bompard warned that the fee could lead to the disappearance of various manufacturers and retailers, creating a significant ecological bill.
4When is the proposed fee expected to take effect?
The EU plans to impose the 2 euro fee in 2028.
5How have retailers in Greece reacted to the proposed fees?
Retailers in Greece have urged Brussels to implement the fees sooner than planned.
