EU e‑commerce changes impact Chinese platforms AliExpress and Shein

AliExpress has integrated PayPal as a payment option, allowing shoppers to use the US‑based service for purchases on the Chinese marketplace. The partnership is designed to improve transaction security, simplify refunds and disputes, and is expected to raise conversion rates for customers outside China.

At the same time, the European Union has introduced a €3 per‑item duty on low‑priced goods shipped from non‑EU platforms such as Shein. The measure ends the previous exemption that let billions of cheap parcels enter Europe duty‑free, aiming to level the playing field for European retailers, address health and environmental risks associated with fast‑fashion imports, and increase customs revenue.