European textile manufacturers are calling for the introduction of a €10 handling fee on fashion imports as part of efforts to encourage stronger EU measures against ultra-low-cost goods, particularly those originating from China.
Euratex, the federation representing European textile and apparel associations, stated that the proposed fee would provide customs authorities with additional resources to detect unsafe and non‑compliant products entering the EU market.
The initiative follows the EU’s July introduction of a €3 duty on low‑value parcels entering the bloc. France has also implemented a levy on ultra-fast-fashion products, with the charge expected to rise to almost €20 per garment over time.
Euratex President Mario Jorge Machado welcomed the EU’s new import charge but emphasized that further measures are required to safeguard Europe’s textile and apparel manufacturers. The federation also urged authorities to address potential loopholes involving bulk shipments and goods routed through EU‑based warehouses.
According to Euratex, stronger enforcement and additional fees are essential to ensure fair competition for Europe’s textile and apparel industry, which encompasses approximately 200,000 companies and employs 1.3 million people.
The proposal comes amid heightened scrutiny of Chinese ultra‑fast‑fashion platforms such as Shein, as European regulators tighten oversight of low‑value imports.
Shein recorded an average monthly European user base of approximately 156 million in 2025, compared with 193 million for AliExpress and about 180 million for Amazon, according to figures cited in the report.
China has cautioned that new EU import fees could prompt retaliatory measures, adding to existing trade tensions over the regulation of low‑cost e‑commerce shipments.
European textile manufacturers continue to emphasize the need for stronger customs enforcement and measures against ultra‑cheap imports, arguing that such steps are essential to protect domestic producers, safeguard consumers, and uphold EU standards.
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