Commercial fraud and the sale of duped fashion products are on the rise, and the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) is urging the federal government to take action against online platforms it believes pose the greatest threat to the market.

The Washington, D.C.-based trade association submitted comments to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) nominating five platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Alibaba.com, AliExpress and DHGate to the trade agency’s 2026 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy (NML).

AAFA said in a statement on Thursday that its recommendations were developed through the collection of data reflecting the experiences of its vast membership, which includes 1,100 brands and retailers across the fashion space.

The group’s president and CEO, Steve Lamar, said the AAFA is urging stronger action against platforms that enable the trade of dupes and fakes, which can be dangerous to consumers as the illicit goods are produced through unregulated operations.

“Counterfeiters increasingly use online platforms to deceive consumers with fraudulent listings that mimic trusted brands to sell products that fail to meet basic safety standards and may contain hazardous chemicals or other dangerous substances,” he said. “Consumers deserve to know that the products they purchase are authentic, safe and compliant with the law.”

Lamar said AAFA’s members have reported the proliferation of counterfeit products on these sites and platforms, and the prevalence of the issue is hampering brand innovation and investment.

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