In the fast fashion sector, speed is everything. Brands race to meet ever-shorter product lifecycles and shifting consumer trends. They are launching new collections weekly, sometimes even daily. The challenge is that customs compliance doesn't move at the same pace.
Whilst the industry focuses on accelerating design, production, and distribution, regulatory requirements are becoming more complex and more scrutinised. The result? Fashion traders who don’t embed compliance into their supply chains risk shipment delays, customs holds, or costly penalties, especially during time-sensitive launches.
At ALS Customs Services, we help fashion and textile brands navigate the intersection of speed and compliance. Here’s how.
The Compliance Bottlenecks Slowing Down Fast Fashion
International trade regulations are evolving quickly, and the fashion sector is feeling the pressure. Below are the most common bottlenecks impacting brands moving goods across EU and UK borders.
1. Tariff Classification Challenges for Innovative Materials
Fast fashion is increasingly reliant on complex textiles, such as blended fabrics, recycled materials, or items with mixed functions. These products often fall into tariff “grey areas” where classification is not clear-cut.
Why it matters:
- Misclassification leads to incorrect duty payments or post-clearance audits.
- Incorrect codes may delay customs clearance or trigger investigations.
- Inconsistent classification across product lines can flag a business for further scrutiny.
Fashion brands should consider proactive pre-classification strategies for upcoming seasonal lines. This ensures that HS codes are accurate, defensible, and consistent across markets.
2. Sustainability Regulations: From EPR to Forced Labour Rules
Sustainability is no longer just a marketing angle; it’s a compliance requirement.
Across the EU and UK, regulations are tightening around:
- Textile EPR Schemes – EU Member States are now required to implement separate collection systems for textiles, and harmonised EPR rules for the sector are expected to become mandatory by 2027. In contrast, the UK has not yet introduced a textile-specific EPR scheme.
- Forced Labour Due Diligence – The EU Forced Labour Regulation entered into force in December 2024, with enforcement set to begin in December 2027. Businesses should begin preparing now by strengthening traceability and ethical sourcing due diligence.
- Green Claims – The EU is finalising Green Claims regulations that will require companies to back up environmental marketing claims with robust, independently verifiable data, aimed at eliminating greenwashing.
Incomplete documentation or vague sourcing declarations can lead to customs audits, detentions, or even product bans. Traders need integrated systems that align customs documentation with sustainability data to ensure consistency and traceability throughout the supply chain.
3. Brexit-Era Border Divergence: Two Markets, Two Rulebooks
Post-Brexit trade has introduced a permanent state of dual compliance between the EU and UK.
Even when products are cleared in one region, they may face:
- Additional origin documentation requirements when re-exported.
- Divergent rules on labelling, packaging, or compliance declarations.
- Increased administrative burden due to separate customs regimes.
Businesses operating across both markets must navigate two sets of rules—with no guarantee that clearance in one territory ensures smooth entry into the other. Centralising compliance processes and automating documentation across jurisdictions is critical to avoid duplication and disruption.
Speed Still Needs Control
Fast fashion brands often operate on narrow timelines, where even a 48-hour delay can disrupt promotional campaigns, e-commerce launches, or seasonal rollouts.
However, customs authorities are not driven by speed. They prioritise:
- Accurate tariff classifications
- Complete and consistent origin documentation
- Clear proof of ethical sourcing and sustainability claims
- Full visibility into the supply chain
Brands that treat compliance as an afterthought often face customs issues at the worst possible moment—just as goods are due to go live.
How Fashion Brands Can Build Compliance Into Speed
Compliance doesn’t have to slow you down, but it does need to be integrated into your supply chain from the start.
Fashion Traders can reduce friction and move faster with confidence by:
- Pre-classifying products from upcoming collections to avoid last-minute coding errors
- Digitising supplier documentation to reuse across markets and minimise duplication
- Aligning sustainability data with customs requirements to present a consistent, verifiable message
- Monitoring regulatory updates regularly to prevent non-compliance surprises
Partner with Experts Who Understand Fast Fashion
At ALS Customs Services, we help fashion and textile brands move quickly without compromising compliance.
Our team provides:
- Expert product classification and risk analysis
- Support for navigating EPR, sustainability, and ethical sourcing requirements
- End-to-end customs solutions tailored to dual UK/EU operations
- Scalable documentation and automation tools for high-volume, fast-moving goods
With ALS, you can meet your speed-to-market goals, without customs issues holding you back.
Ready to Future-Proof Your Fashion Supply Chain?
Let's connect to discuss how ALS can support your compliance goals while keeping your supply chain agile.
Contact our fashion compliance experts today to get started.
With ALS, customs are simplified, and trade is amplified.