Concerns are mounting regarding the impact of rapidly growing Chinese online marketplaces like Temu and Shein on German retailers. Stefan Genth, CEO of the German Retail Federation (HDE), is advocating for stricter measures to address what he describes as unfair competition.
Genth argues that the sheer volume of imports, reportedly around 400,000 packages daily from China, is creating significant price pressure on domestic businesses. He pointed to criticism from consumer protection agencies and independent testing organizations, raising concerns about the quality of some imported goods, suggesting some are substandard and potentially unsuitable for sale.
A key issue, according to Genth, is the lack of effective liability for direct imports from third-party countries. He emphasized that German retailers adhere to stringent standards and accept responsibility for their merchandise, a contrast he believes puts them at a disadvantage.
Genth’s call includes a suggestion to implement tariffs on Chinese imports, modeled after recent actions taken in the United States. He acknowledged that this would be legally complex within the European framework, but suggested that, if necessary, a more decisive action, potentially restricting platforms like Temu and Shein, would be required until they can demonstrate compliance and ethical practices.
He welcomed the recent decision to phase out the EU’s import tariff exemption but urged for expedited implementation, aiming for 2026 rather than the currently planned 2028.
The HDE CEO pointed to the experience in the United States, where the introduction of processing fees and the removal of the tariff exemption reportedly led to Temu’s brief removal from the US market, suggesting a similar outcome could be considered as a possible solution in Europe.
He also stressed the necessity of a fully digitized customs process, advocating for a system using unique identification numbers for each package, mirroring the procedures required for exports to China. This would, he argues, enable customs authorities to conduct more targeted inspections.
