Europe’s textile industry is confronting a significant surge in clothing imports, predominantly from China, a trend amplified by shifting global trade policies. This influx, driven partly by new American tariffs redirecting Chinese goods, poses considerable economic and environmental pressures on the European Union’s manufacturing sector and raises alarms about fair competition.
Between January and June 2025, clothing imports into the EU increased by 14% compared to the previous year, according to industry sources. This substantial rise has prompted 22 European textile federations, including leading industry association Euratex, to issue a strong statement denouncing what they term “ultra-fast fashion.” This segment now constitutes 20% of online clothing sales, with its rapid production cycles and competitive pricing creating market distortions.
Economic and Environmental Pressures
The federations argue that this phenomenon “exacerbates environmental, economic, and social imbalances,” placing immense pressure on European companies, particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), which strive to adhere to stringent environmental, ethical, and social standards. A key area of concern revolves around the sheer volume of small parcel shipments: of 4.5 billion parcels imported into the EU in 2024, 91% of e-commerce shipments valued up to EUR 150 originated from China, as detailed in a February Commission communication. This trend is further compounded by the US administration’s recent decision to raise tariffs on Chinese imports to 57.6% and remove the $800 exemption for small shipped packages, likely diverting more Chinese exports towards the EU market.
Policy Responses and Digital Accountability
In response to these challenges, the European textile industry is urging the EU to implement several protective measures. These include introducing new fees on small parcels to bolster customs inspections and eliminating the current customs duty exemption for parcel shipments valued under €150. These proposals align with existing Commission initiatives, such as a suggested €2 handling fee on shipments to the EU and ongoing negotiations within EU institutions to remove the €150 import exemption.
Beyond trade and customs, the industry is advocating for robust enforcement of digital regulations. They call on the Commission to expedite ongoing investigations and impose the “toughest possible sanctions” under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA aims to counter illegal content and products online within the EU. Notably, the Commission previously identified Chinese e-commerce platform Temu as being in breach of the DSA due to inadequate risk assessment of its listed products. Furthermore, the federations advocate for requiring e-commerce platforms to appoint legally authorized representatives within the EU, thereby ensuring clear legal accountability for their operations and products sold.
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