The 2025 review confirms what many international trade stakeholders are already experiencing: customs authorities are more than ever at the heart of economic balance. The explosion of small parcels, mounting trade tensions, record drug seizures, and intensified anti-money laundering efforts all reflect a clear shift in scale.

The “Small Parcels” Effect: A Structural Phenomenon

E-commerce continues to fundamentally reshape trade flows. In 2025, 220.90 million H7 simplified import declarations were recorded, covering 826 million imported items with a total value of €5.58 billion.

97% of these items arrived via Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (Roissy-CDG), and 89% of the declared value originated from China.

Behind these volumes lies a clear trend: the average declared value is declining, with half of imported items priced below €3.50. Shipments valued under €150 now account for the vast majority of flows.

Controls carried out in 2025 revealed VAT fraud schemes, notably involving the misuse of IOSS numbers. In response to this large-scale phenomenon, public authorities announced the introduction of a €3 flat-rate tax per item in France and the removal, at EU level, of the €150 duty exemption as of July 1, 2026.

This is no longer a cyclical issue — it has become structural.

United States: French Companies Exposed

In April 2025, the United States introduced new tariff measures, including a 15% minimum rate applicable to a broad range of European imports, along with additional duties on specific products.

Nearly 2,000 French companies are exposed to the U.S. market for at least 10% of their turnover. Trade between France and the United States amounted to €100 billion in 2024.

In this context, French customs authorities strengthened their support measures: daily information updates, mobilisation of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) units, dedicated assistance to large corporations, and close monitoring of the most affected sectors.

Drug Seizures at Historic Levels

The enforcement dimension of the 2025 review is marked by exceptionally high volumes.

On French territory, 108.81 tonnes of narcotics were seized, including 31.26 tonnes of cocaine (+49%). Abroad, cocaine seizures reached 64.17 tonnes (+112%). The total financial value of seizures amounted to €2.197 billion.

Trafficking networks are becoming increasingly sophisticated: routes are shifting, pressure is intensifying on certain territories, and vectors are diversifying (maritime, air, and express freight). Customs authorities account for between 60% and 75% of all national drug seizures annually.

Synthetic drugs are also on the rise, with 5.79 tonnes seized, including a sharp increase in ketamine in 2025.

Financial Crime: Targeting the Money Flows

The fight against money laundering remains a key priority. In 2025, €534.85 million in criminal assets were seized or proposed for seizure by the National Customs Judicial Service (ONAF), bringing the two-year total to over €1 billion.

A total of 825 customs-related money laundering cases were recorded. Illicit flows now combine cash, precious metals, and crypto-assets, reflecting the growing professionalisation of criminal financial circuits.

An Administration at the Crossroads of Security and Trade

Beyond enforcement, customs remain a major economic actor: €37.92 billion in revenue was collected in 2025, the average goods clearance time stood at 1 minute and 45 seconds, and operator satisfaction reached 89.14%.

The 2025 review thus portrays a customs administration with a dual role: facilitator of trade and bulwark against trafficking.