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EU Retailers Demand Higher Fees on Fast Fashion Imports
3 Sep
Summary
- Industry groups call for a €10 handling fee per parcel.
- Current temporary duty is seen as insufficient by unions.
- Deemed Importer approach urged for platform accountability.
European industry associations are renewing their call for significantly higher handling fees on ultra-fast fashion imports, one year after the Villepinte Declaration. They argue that the current temporary €3 duty per item, introduced in July, is insufficient to cover the substantial costs associated with border controls, risk analysis, logistics, and product safety enforcement for billions of incoming packages.
Industry bodies, including UFIMH and EURATEX, are advocating for a €10 handling fee per parcel. They state this reflects the true cost of compliance and surveillance, costs currently borne by European taxpayers and compliant companies. This proposal aims to address the financial burden imposed by a business model that externalizes its costs.
Furthermore, these associations are pressing the European Commission to expedite the adoption of the Deemed Importer approach. This would mandate online platforms to assume responsibility for customs compliance, product safety, and adherence to EU regulations, thereby increasing accountability for facilitating these imports.
