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AIBU?

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Original poster

France announce a levy on SHEIN, TEMU and similar imports. AIBU to want the UK to do the same?

313 replies

AsMuchIn · 01/09/2026 22:38

AIBU to want the UK to do the same as France, who are imposing a levy on products bought from SHEIN, TEMU, etc.

The impact on our high street (or now lack of) is massive, shops gone or as people choose cheap, poor quality, sometimes dangerous products. Less jobs in retail, empty shops, units filled with nail bars and vape shops.

The impact on the environment is also detrimental.

We are not making good choices ourselves, so bring in a levy.

France targets Shein and Temu with fast fashion fees https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2792pendro

OP posts:
PinkWaffleMaker · 02/09/2026 07:46

TimeFlysWhenYoureHavingRum · 01/09/2026 22:52

Yanbu. There should be a 50% tarriff on all Amazon orders.

This I am much more against.

WhatNoRaisins · 02/09/2026 07:43

I don't think this alone will save the high street but yes, I'd like to see a massive levy on importing shite.

HeBeaverandSheBeaver · 02/09/2026 07:40

Absolutely!

CelestialSilver · 02/09/2026 07:38

I want free or cheap parking or I'm not going to the high street.

Why would I go to the shops when its going to cost me plenty and I may not even find what I need.

Throwaway380 · 02/09/2026 07:36

Would thoroughly agree, also making sure it doesn’t pay to bring in potentially dangerous toys etc that don’t conform to safety standards.

All the fake squishies/needos etc have shown that even if you buy from a UK shop or stall they might have got them from Temu in the first place anyway, even if you don’t buy directly yourself.

Notmycircusnotmyotter · 02/09/2026 07:36

I'm generally anti tax and government intervention but I would absolutely support this. A high levy too.

Sartre · 02/09/2026 07:36

The high street has been in decline for at least 20 years, since the advent of online shopping all together. You can’t blame shein or temu for this alone, it started years before they were a thing! It was partly due to shopping centres and edge of town retail parks if you look back historically. People wanted convenience- somewhere they could easily park for free and get everything they wanted in one place including lunch.

Original poster
AsMuchIn · 02/09/2026 07:34

A levy, making items so much more expensive, seems such an easy answer to many issues.

The right thing to do!

OP posts:
DelilahBucket · 01/09/2026 23:00

As an online and high street retailer I agree and the levy needs to be enough that it makes the more expensive than buying from UK retailers.
Don't even get me started on online marketplaces and all the shite being sold on there. Only yesterday I received a fake item from an eBay seller, again.

Vaxtable · 01/09/2026 22:58

Good idea in my opinion. One way the Government can raise money that can actually help
people

TimeFlysWhenYoureHavingRum · 01/09/2026 22:52

Yanbu. There should be a 50% tarriff on all Amazon orders.

Original poster
AsMuchIn · 01/09/2026 22:49

I want a high street, I want to go shopping with my family, see people, meet others, see, feel, choose quality clothing. I can, but mainly when I am in Europe.

I want a thriving high street, where my teen can get a Saturday job, develop some work skills, earn some money and independence.

A levy would level the playing field.

OP posts:
Dontlickthebin · 01/09/2026 22:39

yanbu

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