Future Retirement Success
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks

Future Retirement Success

Business

Retailers call for crackdown on Chinese fast-fashion imports amid fears of market flooding

by April 15, 2025
April 15, 2025
Retailers call for crackdown on Chinese fast-fashion imports amid fears of market flooding

Britain’s leading retailers are calling on the government to urgently review import tax rules that allow ultra-cheap goods from Chinese e-commerce giants such as Shein and Temu to enter the UK duty-free—warning that the country could face a surge in low-cost imports rerouted from the US following the introduction of sweeping tariffs by President Trump.

Retailers including Sainsbury’s, Currys, and other major players in fashion, electronics, toys and homeware are said to have raised concerns directly with the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which is now lobbying ministers to scrap or reform the UK’s “de minimis” tax exemption.

Under current rules, goods imported from overseas and valued under £135 are not subject to import duties—a policy that allows fast-fashion and discount marketplaces to ship cheap items to UK consumers without incurring the same tax burdens as domestic retailers. In contrast, larger shipments or those above the £135 threshold can attract customs duties of up to 25 per cent.

Now, amid rising geopolitical tensions and following the US’s decision to remove its own de minimis exemption for low-value imports from China, Canada and Mexico, UK retailers fear that diverted stock originally intended for the American market could instead flood into the UK, undercutting domestic businesses and sidestepping product safety and ethical standards.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC, said: “Retailers are very concerned that goods originally destined for the US may be redirected to the UK under existing low-value import rules. That brings up serious questions around product safety, consumer standards, and fair competition.”

The BRC held a meeting on Friday with representatives from several major UK retailers to discuss the implications of the US tariffs, and the growing threat of “product dumping”—the mass shipment of cheap goods to new markets—as Chinese suppliers look for alternative destinations for their stock.

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association has gone further, lobbying the government to lower the de minimis threshold from £135 to under £40 to protect UK businesses and consumers.

Dickinson added: “A lot of goods coming in under the current rules aren’t necessarily held to the same product safety, ethical, or environmental standards that UK consumers expect. The government now has a real opportunity to modernise our trade rules and ensure a level playing field.”

Retailers argue that reform is needed to not only uphold consumer safety and sustainability but to support fair competition as UK high streets continue to recover from inflationary pressures and changing consumer habits.

The issue has also raised questions around the future of Shein, which is said to be considering a UK IPO. Analysts suggest that removing the de minimis exemption could be a major blow to its low-cost business model in Britain.

In response, a Shein spokeswoman said: “Shein’s success comes from our ability to produce fashionable products efficiently through an on-demand business model and flexible supply chain. This reduces waste and allows us to pass savings on to our customers. Our growth is not driven by tax exemptions. We are committed to working with policy makers and peers to review and improve current frameworks.”

Temu and Sainsbury’s declined to comment.

Read more:
Retailers call for crackdown on Chinese fast-fashion imports amid fears of market flooding

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
El Salvador’s Bukele after friendly White House meeting with Trump: ‘I miss you already, President T’
next post
Carmakers rally as Trump hints at tariff relief for vehicle imports

You may also like

Award-Winning Environmental Lawyer Rachel Pickles on the Importance...

December 16, 2022

How to Make ChatGPT Undetectable? (5 Proven Ways)

October 30, 2024

Farage: I’m not getting a smart meter

May 10, 2024

Out in the open: the hidden costs of...

July 7, 2024

Royal Mail workers set to walkout in fresh...

October 12, 2022

Santander Raises Alarm Over Surge in Impersonation Scams

March 14, 2024

Trump re-election predicted to boost UK with $33...

November 29, 2024

Getting To Know You: Duncan Kreeger, Founder, TAB

July 17, 2024

Wet Weather and Economic Caution Dampen Spring Retail...

May 7, 2024

Development Bank of Wales joins Admiral Pioneer in...

October 12, 2022

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free

    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Luxury Lodge Estates censured over misleading investment claims in Sunday Times advert

      July 21, 2025
    • Defence sector confident of job surge as firms await MoD contracts

      July 21, 2025
    • Burberry boss calls for VAT-free shopping return to boost UK retail and tourism

      July 21, 2025
    • UK’s Bitcoin sell-off risks becoming another billion-pound blunder, warns deVere boss

      July 21, 2025
    • Santander faces backlash over charges on ‘free forever’ business accounts

      July 21, 2025
    • UK companies issue record number of profit warnings amid global policy chaos

      July 21, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (8,535)
    • Investing (2,134)
    • Politics (16,126)
    • Stocks (3,222)
    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: futureretirementsuccess.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 futureretirementsuccess.com | All Rights Reserved