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Shein Warns EU Fees and French Fast-Fashion Penalties Will Raise Prices for French Shoppers

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Shein has issued a warning that upcoming European Union handling fees and French fast-fashion penalties could significantly increase costs for French consumers, potentially adding up to €12 more per order by 2030, a company spokesperson said Thursday.

Quentin Ruffat, Shein’s spokesperson in France, told Sud Radio that the proposed €2 per-package EU fee on direct e-commerce deliveries and additional national-level environmental penalties in France would disproportionately affect Shein’s low-cost model.

“Why tax us? Why not have a discussion, find a solution between public officials and e-commerce platforms?” Ruffat asked.

Background: EU and France Target Fast Fashion

  • The European Commission has proposed a €2 handling fee on low-value e-commerce imports outside the EU, most of which originate from China.

  • A reduced €0.50 fee would apply to parcels routed through EU-based warehouses.

  • Separately, France’s National Assembly passed a bill in March to penalize fast-fashion goods due to environmental concerns, with the intent of limiting overproduction and waste.

  • The EU also plans to end duty-free treatment for e-commerce packages under €150 starting in 2028.

Impact on Shein and Consumers

Shein, which relies heavily on direct-to-consumer, low-cost shipments, argues that the new policies:

  • Discriminate against platforms like Shein and Temu

  • Will erode affordability for consumers across Europe, particularly in France

  • Threaten to increase average order prices by up to €12 by 2030, Ruffat said

The measures are viewed by critics as targeting ultra-fast fashion models that contribute to environmental degradation, excessive returns, and labor concerns.

Policy Outlook

  • The handling fee proposal still requires approval from EU member states and the European Parliament.

  • France has already endorsed the policy, and is seen as a key player pushing for tighter rules on imported low-value goods.

The U.S. has already moved in a similar direction, scrapping its “de minimis” $800 duty-free threshold earlier this month.

As e-commerce regulation tightens globally, platforms like Shein are coming under mounting pressure to adjust logistics and environmental practices—or risk losing market competitiveness in high-consumption regions like Europe.

Airwallex Hits $6.2 Billion Valuation in New $300 Million Funding Round

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Airwallex, the global fintech firm specializing in cross-border payments, announced on Wednesday that it has raised $300 million in fresh capital, lifting its valuation to $6.2 billion — an 11% increase from its previous valuation in 2022.

The raise comes at a time when the broader private funding market remains tepid. According to PitchBook, over 26% of completed deals in Q1 2025 were either flat or down rounds, reflecting ongoing investor caution amid persistent high interest rates, recession fears, and geopolitical uncertainty, particularly around U.S. trade policy under Donald Trump.

Growth Despite Market Headwinds

Founded in Melbourne in 2015, Airwallex has grown into a leading payments platform offering international invoicing, cross-border payments, and spend management tools. The company moved its U.S. headquarters to San Francisco in 2023 and now has its global headquarters in Singapore.

“Just a few years ago, most of our business came from our cross-border infrastructure. Today, online payment processing and spend management account for over 70% of net revenue,” said Jack Zhang, co-founder and CEO of Airwallex.

The firm’s client roster includes global names such as Shein, Qantas, and Xero.

Investor Support and Strategic Focus

The latest round included backing from well-known venture firms such as Square Peg, DST Global, Lone Pine Capital, and Blackbird, bringing Airwallex’s total funding to over $1.2 billion.

Zhang emphasized that Airwallex is targeting Japan, Korea, and Latin America for its next wave of geographic expansion, further challenging incumbents like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citigroup in the global payments arena.

Industry Context

While the fintech sector enjoyed explosive growth during the post-COVID digital transformation wave, funding has since slowed dramatically. Airwallex’s successful raise — and upward valuation — positions it as a standout performer in a cautious investment climate, signaling investor confidence in its business model and global strategy.

EU Proposes €2 Fee on Low-Value Parcels, Posing Challenge for Shein and Temu

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The European Union is preparing to introduce a €2 ($2.27) handling fee on low-value e-commerce parcels entering the bloc, a move that could significantly impact fast-growing Chinese platforms like Shein and Temu. The measure is aimed at addressing a surge in online orders and leveling the playing field for European retailers.

In 2024, EU customs authorities processed 4.6 billion low-value parcels — double the figure from 2023 — with 91% arriving from China. The proposed fee, still pending approval by EU member states and the European Parliament, would be paid by the online retailers, not by consumers.

The European Commission said the fee would help fund compliance checks on the flood of packages, including regulations around toy safety and consumer protections. A smaller fee of €0.50 is also proposed for goods processed through EU-based warehouses, potentially favoring global firms with advanced logistics over smaller retailers.

“It’s fair to ask Alibaba, Temu, or Shein to pay their fair share,” said Bernd Lange, Chair of the European Parliament’s trade committee. He noted the burden these shipments place on customs authorities and the need for proper enforcement.

France has already voiced support for the measure, while the EU had previously announced plans to end the duty-free status of goods under €150 — but not until 2028.

Reactions from European retailers have been largely supportive. Zalando welcomed the proposal and called for fast-tracking the removal of the €150 customs exemption. Germany’s HDE retail association also endorsed the fee as a step toward curbing unfair competition.

However, concerns remain. Allegro, a leading Polish e-commerce platform, warned that the €0.50 fee for goods processed in EU warehouses might unintentionally benefit larger global players, while smaller firms would bear the full €2 cost. “The implementation details will be crucial,” said Allegro’s regulatory manager Ewelina Stepnik-Godawa.

Chinese companies have yet to respond, though China’s foreign ministry urged the EU to maintain a “fair, transparent and non-discriminatory” environment for Chinese businesses.

The proposal comes just weeks after the U.S. scrapped its own de minimis rule allowing duty-free entry for goods under $800, reflecting a broader global shift toward tighter e-commerce trade regulation.