EU Official Alarmed by Hazards Posed by Products from Shein and Temu | Retail Sector Concern

The European Union’s justice commissioner, Michael McGrath, has expressed alarm over the dangerous and illicit goods being sold by Chinese retailers Shein and Temu. With millions of parcels entering the EU daily from outside retailers, McGrath has pledged to take action against goods that break EU laws. This includes baby soothers with choking hazards, children’s products with toxic chemicals, and cosmetics containing banned substances. McGrath is also concerned that these rapidly growing platforms are harming local businesses by not adhering to EU rules and unfair competition. The EU is considering removing the €150 duty-free threshold and introducing handling fees to curb low-value purchases and offset the costs of extra customs checks. Additionally, there is discussion of creating a EU-wide customs authority to address these issues. Shein has responded by stating its focus on compliance and safety standards, while Temu has yet to comment.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/20/eu-commissioner-shocked-dangerous-goods-sold-shein-temu