In brief
France has introduced a fresh levy on ultra‑fast fashion items that could rise to €20 per piece by 2030. The move aims to curb sales of low‑priced clothing from e‑commerce giants such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress, which French officials say drive environmental harm and market distortion. New law earmarks higher fees for pieces characterised by high turnover and low repairability, with rates ranging from €0.50 for underwear up to €12 for jackets in 2026. China has slammed the bill as discriminatory, while the French government defends it as a necessary environmental safeguard.
France targets fast‑fashion giants with new levies
The French government unveiled a fee system on ultra‑fast fashion that could reach nearly €20 per garment by 2030. The measure, backed by a law passed in June, aims to curb the sale of inexpensive clothing from sites such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress.
Under the new rules, the levy scales with two factors: the volume of items sold and how quickly they degrade relative to their price. In 2026, the charge will rise from €0.50 for underwear to €12 for jackets, with a ceiling of 50 % of the pre‑tax price.
Shein, a Chinese‑Singapore‑headquartered retailer, was valued at $26.2 bn on its Hong Kong debut and faces increasing scrutiny over supply‑chain ethics. The company said the measures would “worsen consumer purchasing power” amid a cost‑of‑living crisis.
China’s commerce ministry has called the legislation a trade barrier that could breach World Trade Organization norms. France’s economy minister, Mathieu Lefevre, defended the levy as essential to protect the environment and the French market.
Trade tensions rise as global e‑commerce platforms push to expand, while France tightens controls to preserve local fashion ecosystems.
