Updated
Updated · Quartz · Aug 10
Shein Warns 35% Europe Revenue at Risk as U.S. Tariffs Drove 14% Sales Drop
Updated
Updated · Quartz · Aug 10

Shein Warns 35% Europe Revenue at Risk as U.S. Tariffs Drove 14% Sales Drop

3 articles · Updated · Quartz · Aug 10

Summary

  • IPO filings show Shein fears Europe could suffer the same tariff-led slowdown as the U.S., where passing higher import costs to shoppers hurt demand after May 2025 price increases.
  • U.S. revenue fell more than 3% in 2025 and dropped 14% year over year in the latest first quarter after duties on Chinese goods rose to 10%-87.5% from 0%-62.5%.
  • Europe—35% of 2025 revenue—already showed weaker momentum before the EU ended its low-value parcel exemption in July and replaced it with a 3-euro levy per product category.
  • Profitability has deteriorated alongside that slowdown: companywide profit fell 39% in 2025, and Shein posted a $99 million first-quarter loss versus a $395 million profit a year earlier.
  • The warning lands as Shein prepares a Hong Kong IPO after Chinese approval in July, seeking a $30 billion-$40 billion valuation, far below its $98.2 billion 2022 funding-round mark.

Insights

With new EU levies active as of July 2026, can Shein's secret high-margin service pivot save its crashing IPO?
Did closing tax loopholes accidentally destroy the fast-fashion giant, or is Shein's massive valuation drop a calculated reset?