European Textile Industry Seeks €10 Fee On Fashion Imports
European textile manufacturers have called for a €10 handling fee on fashion imports as the industry steps up pressure on the European Union to curb the influx of ultra-cheap products, particularly from China.
Euratex, the federation representing European textile and clothing associations, said the proposed fee would provide customs authorities with additional resources to identify unsafe and non-compliant goods entering the EU.
The demand comes after the EU introduced a €3 duty in July on low-value parcels entering the bloc. France has separately begun imposing a levy on ultra-fast-fashion products, with the charge eventually expected to approach €20 per garment.
Euratex president Mario Jorge Machado welcomed the EU’s new charge but said further measures were needed to protect European manufacturers. The federation also urged authorities to prevent potential loopholes involving bulk shipments and goods routed through European warehouses.
Euratex said the measures were necessary to ensure a level playing field for Europe’s textile and apparel industry, which comprises around 200,000 companies and employs 1.3 million people.
The push comes amid growing scrutiny of Chinese ultra-fast-fashion platforms such as Shein, whose European business has been affected by tighter import rules. Shein had an average monthly European user base of 156 million by the end of 2025, compared with 193 million for AliExpress and around 180 million for Amazon.
China has warned that the new import fees could trigger retaliatory measures.
