César Araújo, president of the National Association of Clothing, Fashion and Textile Industries (Anivec), criticised the EU’s planned €3 fee on small imports as insufficient and called it a 'smokescreen' that won’t stop Chinese e‑commerce evading taxes. Araújo links the problem to job losses in domestic manufacturing and says the fee, effective from July for orders over €150, will not address structural evasion. Textile businesses and retail employers should follow EU rules but also press for stronger measures if they rely on local supply chains.
Industry says €3 EU fee won’t halt cheap imports
Sunday, 22 February 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
Anivec is the National Association of Clothing, Fashion and Textile Industries, a trade group representing Portuguese clothing, fashion and textile companies. Its leaders are warning that the EU’s new €3 fee on extra-EU orders over €150, due to take effect in July, may not be enough to protect local manufacturers, a point that matters for producers, retailers and consumers because it can affect prices and competition.
