France imposes a minimum of three euros for sending books to confront Amazon

Starting this Saturday, France imposes a minimum rate of three euros for the shipping of books purchased remotely, a measure designed to try to protect bookstores to some extent against competition from Amazon and other online platforms such as Fnac.

The Government decree sets this minimum at the three euros recommended by the Electronic Communication, Postal and Press Distribution Regulatory Authority (Arcep) for orders less than 35 euros.

From that amount, the cost of these shipping costs will have to be at least one euro cent, which might seem paradoxical at first.

The Executive's will is to encourage readers to buy more in bookstores. Until now, both Amazon and Fnac had not invoiced more than a cent for book shipments.

However, the French Bookstore Union (SLF), which brings together professionals, estimates that the new regulation falls short, taking into account that a shipment costs them an average of 7.5 euros.

For Amazon, this decree will have the effect of increasing prices that could reduce demand for books.