EU measures against cheap imports from Temu or Shein are insufficient, say shoemakers
Brno – The measures proposed by the EU against cheap imports from Asian online marketplaces are, according to the Czech Footwear and Leather Association (ČOKA), insufficient. ČOKA has thus joined as a member of the European Confederation of the Footwear Industry (CEC) in calling on two relevant European commissioners to intervene and rectify the business environment. This was stated today at the Styl and Kabo fair by the president of ČOKA Robert Konorza. According to the authors of the letter, online marketplaces like Temu and Shein significantly disrupt fair business practices and pose a threat to European manufacturers and consumers.
The European Union has proposed that a handling fee of two euros (50 CZK) be paid for small shipments valued up to 150 euros (3700 CZK). “However, without accompanying implementing mechanisms, this measure remains more of a symbolic step than an effective tool against unfair imports,” Konorza conveyed the CEC’s position. According to the CEC, Shein, Temu, and similar platforms exploit the inadequate customs and regulatory mechanisms of the European Union, thereby effectively creating price dumping. Additionally, a large number of packages are shipped from European warehouses, so they only pay a symbolic fee of half a euro (approximately 12.50 CZK).
According to the CEC, specific steps that the European Commission should take include the introduction of blanket customs controls for all shipments heading not only to the final consumer, as well as increasing capacities for market oversight, including improving the quality of inspections. Furthermore, the CEC emphasizes the enforcement of rules directly against platforms that systematically violate regulations, the establishment of systems for monitoring risky imports, and the use of alternative mechanisms to expedite intervention without waiting for the reform of the customs code planned for 2026 to 2027.
The call is based on specific data from previous years. In 2023, 152 million counterfeit items were seized in the EU, which is 77 percent more than the previous year. The total value was 3.4 billion euros (83.6 billion CZK). “The sharp increase in counterfeit footwear is particularly alarming,” said Konorza. Approximately 80 percent of the footwear sold in the EU is imported, and a significant portion does not meet European health, safety, and environmental standards, according to critics. “This endangers the health and safety of consumers and primarily puts honest European manufacturers, who must comply with standards and regulations, at a disadvantage,” Konorza stated.
Another threat, according to him, is that Europe may become a warehouse for goods from these platforms, as they face strong customs pressure in the USA, redirecting goods to Europe. “The goal is to protect not only European businesses but also the health of consumers and the integrity of the internal market,” Konorza stated. (August 22)
