German Retail Association warns of Chinese online shops posing as German businesses

The German Retail Association (HDE) is warning consumers about an increasing number of online shops originating from China that masquerade as German businesses. These retailers often use German names, .de domains, and sometimes even list European addresses to mislead customers.

According to Stephan Tromp, deputy CEO of the HDE, these businesses often sell inferior goods that do not match their online descriptions. A core part of their business model relies on making returns economically unfeasible. Because shipping costs to China can significantly exceed the value of the items, many consumers find it impractical to exercise their right of withdrawal or file complaints, leading them to keep substandard products.

The HDE advises consumers to carefully inspect the legal notice (Impressum), the registered company headquarters, and the specific terms for returns and withdrawals before purchasing. Consumers are encouraged to check if the return address is located in China and to look for customer reviews to verify the legitimacy of the shop.