Temu and Shein face scrutiny over export of regulated goods

An analysis by the Jamestown Foundation suggests that Chinese authorities may enforce stricter regulations on certain products within the domestic market while allowing freer exports of those same items. The report identifies four key areas where this discrepancy occurs: fentanyl substances, e-cigarettes, children's products, and Chinese AI models.

Testing of children's products from platforms such as Shein, AliExpress, and Temu has revealed safety concerns. In June 2026, South Korean authorities found that five out of 21 tested products failed to meet safety requirements, including children's sandals containing phthalate concentrations 280 times above the permitted limit. Additionally, Greenpeace reported in 2025 that 18 out of 56 tested Shein clothing items exceeded European chemical limit values.

Similar patterns were observed in the e-cigarette sector. While China maintains strict national regulations for domestic use, it exported e-cigarettes valued at approximately 3 billion euros to the United States in 2024.