France hits Shein and Temu with fast fashion fees
Tuesday, 1 September 2026
Warm-up
- Where do you usually buy clothes: online or in a shop? Why?
- What makes you choose a cheap item over a better-quality one?
- Have you ever repaired a piece of clothing? What was it and why?
Vocabulary
- levy
- An extra charge or tax added to a product or service.
- garment
- A piece of clothing such as a shirt, jeans, or jacket.
- regulate
- To control something by making and enforcing rules.
- legislation
- A law or set of laws made by a government.
- discriminatory
- Treating one group unfairly compared with others.
- principle
- A basic rule or idea that guides actions or decisions.
- retailer
- A business that sells goods directly to customers.
- marketplace
- An online platform where many sellers offer products.
Reading
France has begun charging a levy on fast fashion, aiming to curb cheap clothes from e-commerce sites. The fee took effect on Tuesday after legislation passed in June to regulate so-called ultra-fast fashion firms such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress.
Charges depend on two tests: the volume of clothing put on the market, and how costly it is to repair a garment compared with its purchase price. In 2026, the levy is set at €0.50 for underwear, €2 for T-shirts, €9 for jeans and €12 for a jacket. By 2030 it could reach €19.50 per item, but a cap limits it to 50% of a product's pre-tax price.
French minister Mathieu Lefevre said the harmful effects are well known. China's commerce ministry called the law discriminatory and against WTO principles. In July, officials said the levy would not hit retailers like H&M or Zara.
Shein was valued at $26.2bn in Hong Kong. It says such legislation will hurt purchasing power during the cost-of-living crisis. Temu, which is Chinese-owned, acknowledges environmental concerns and says it is a marketplace, not a manufacturer.
Comprehension
- What new measure did France begin for fast fashion?
- When did the fee take effect?
- Which two tests decide the fee for each item?
- In 2026, how much is the levy for a jacket?
- What cap limits the fee by 2030?
Grammar focus
Prepositions of time
Use in for months/years, on for days/dates, and by for a deadline or limit. These prepositions show when something happens. (Examples constructed.)
- The law was passed **in June**.
- The levy took effect **on Tuesday**.
Grammar exercise
Choose the correct option in each sentence.
- The new fee took effect (on Tuesday / in Tuesday) after reports.
- Legislation passed (on June / in June) to regulate fast fashion.
- In 2026 the levy is set (at €0.50 / on €0.50) for underwear.
- Temu said environmental issues happened during (the crisis / crisis).
- Many buyers have complained (for last year / since last year).
Discussion
- Should governments add fees to ultra-fast fashion? Why or why not?
- How might a levy change your own shopping habits?
- Are repair services in your area affordable and easy to find?
- Do marketplaces like Shein or Temu help or harm consumers?
Vocabulary, reading, and exercises with instant feedback