French retail CEO seeks two-year EU ban on Shein, Temu sales

The CEO of French supermarket group Casino Guichard Perrachon, Philippe Palazzi, has called for a two-year ban on Shein and Temu in Europe.

Palazzi said on BFM Business TV that products from the two China-founded online retailers do not meet European standards and could be unsafe for consumers.

He warned that an influx of goods, especially textiles and furniture, might force small local businesses that comply with regulations to close.

Shein, now headquartered in Singapore, recently opened its first store in Paris, and has faced scrutiny in France over items listed on its platform.

France has raised concerns about some of Shein’s products with the European Commission.

The European Union plans to implement new import rules for products from China by 2028, and Palazzi urged a two-year ban on Shein and Temu while these regulations are developed.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Palazzi’s ban push looks political and unlikely under EU law

Palazzi sells his two-year ban as a safety fix 1. An EU-wide ban would be messy in law 1. The European Commission opened a Digital Services Act (DSA) case against Temu in October 2024 1. The DSA is the EU online platform rulebook. There is no set deadline, which depends on case complexity 1.
In July 2025, the Commission said Temu broke DSA rules by skipping proper risk checks for illegal goods such as baby toys 2. The case could bring fines up to 6% of global revenue 2. The document did not mention a ban 2.
That push lines up with Casino’s business needs 3. Low-value parcel volumes doubled to 4.6 billion in 2024, with over 90% from China 3. That wave squeezes prices for European retailers 3.

Compliance and customs tech firms see openings as EU ends de minimis sooner (the low-value import duty exemption)

EU finance ministers voted to end the €150 customs duty exemption as early as 2026 3. Platforms and sellers now need customs compliance systems 3. The de minimis threshold will phase out faster 3.
EU estimates say up to 65% of low-value parcels were undervalued or split to avoid duties 4. Compliance needs will rise 4. Product testing labs and certification providers can win work 4.
Logistics tech firms can pitch large platforms that shift to bulk imports into EU warehouses to cut per-parcel duties 4. This move needs fresh inventory tools and distribution setups tuned for this model 4.