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France to levy fees on ultra-fast fashion from Asian e-commerce platforms
France will start applying a fee on ultra-fast fashion items this week, with the levy set to climb to nearly €20 per garment, targeting platforms such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress.
A new French levy on ultra-fast fashion takes effect Tuesday, with charges set to rise over time to nearly €20 per item. The fee applies to clothing from e-commerce platforms known for high-volume, low-cost apparel.
The government said the measure is aimed at reining in the rapidly growing influence of Asian e-commerce giants, including Shein, Temu and AliExpress, which have become popular in France in recent years.
The policy follows legislation approved by the French parliament in June to regulate ultra-fast fashion businesses, which typically sell large quantities of lower-quality garments at rock-bottom prices.
Under the rules, ultra-fast fashion is defined by two criteria: the volume of clothing placed on the market and the cost of repairing a garment relative to its purchase price. Environment minister Mathieu Lefevre said Friday that the harmful effects of ultra-fast fashion on the environment and economy are well documented.