Amazon has criticized a book delivery fee imposed by France, arguing that it is discriminatory, protectionist, and a violation of European Union law.
The company presented its case to Europe’s top court on Thursday, claiming the fee unfairly targets online retailers like Amazon. The measure, introduced in October 2023, charges a three-euro fee on book deliveries for purchases under 35 euros.
Amazon, which had previously charged only a symbolic euro cent for book deliveries in France, filed the challenge with France’s highest administrative court, which in turn sought guidance from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
Amazon’s lawyer, Yann Utzschneider, argued that the fee is a protectionist measure designed to benefit physical bookstores in France, stating that it disproportionately favors large retailers such as FNAC and hypermarkets like Carrefour. These retailers can avoid the fee by having customers pick up their book purchases in-store.
“This is a breach of EU laws, and France cannot carve up the single market for its own national interests,” Utzschneider said.
In defense of the fee, the French government argued that the measure was necessary to level the playing field for independent bookstores, which struggle to compete with large online retailers. Brice Fodda, a lawyer for the French government, explained that large retailers had an unfair advantage by offering free or cheap delivery services.
The European Commission also voiced criticism of the French fee. Commission lawyer Bruno Stromsky pointed out that the fee appeared to be an economic measure aimed at altering competition to Amazon’s disadvantage. He also raised questions about the need for additional protection for French independent bookstores, citing France’s network of 3,300 independent bookstores as the largest and most successful in the world.
The CJEU is expected to issue a ruling on the matter in the coming months.
