France imposes levy on ultra-fast fashion items targeting Shein, Temu, AliExpress

Starting this week, France will impose a penalty on cheaply made clothing sold by ultra-fast fashion retailers, with the fee reaching nearly €20 per item by 2030. The levy, based on a June law, targets platforms like Shein, Temu, and AliExpress, while exempting brands like H&M and Zara. The fee varies by product type, starting at 50 cents for underwear and rising to €12 for jackets in 2026, with a cap of 50% of the pre-tax price. The measure aims to address environmental and economic harms, but has faced criticism for sparing European brands and potential EU law concerns. China has warned of retaliation, calling the law discriminatory.