Poland – Shein Opens Main Warehouse for Intra-EU Sales 

Shein, a major online retailer specializing in fast-fashion and home goods, operates through an e-commerce marketplace model and is investing significantly in Europe. To improve the quality of its services and accelerate delivery, the firm decided to open a new central logistics warehouse near Wroclaw, Poland. 

The warehouse and connected area total around 740,000 m2, making it the most prominent and focal logistics center for Shein operations in Europe. It counts on more than 170 partnerships with SMEs from the region, and with this establishment, Shein will be able to support more EU retailers. 

Asian E-Commerce Marketplaces

Since 2024, major Asian-based e-commerce marketplaces have been investing significantly in their European storage and warehousing centers. One of the primary drivers of this decision is to make deliveries of products purchased on their platform less challenging and less likely to be delayed. 

Given that the EU and other non-EU countries in the region are expeditiously adopting different tax and customs policies, which will inevitably make cross-border e-commerce trade more challenging, the physical presence (warehouses and delivery centres) of global e-commerce sellers is necessary. 

Only a few days ago, the Council of the EU adopted a decision that will abolish the customs duty relief for low-value parcels coming from outside the EU. This means that the customs clearance process will be slower from the day the policy comes into force in 2026. 

It is fair to expect higher prices, while the common belief is that EU shoppers will not expect the delivery time to change much, even with the abolition of customs duty relief for LVG. This could be one of the reasons Shein decided to open its new central EU warehouse before these changes take effect. 

Shein vs France Government 

Shein, while announcing the opening of its largest logistics center in Europe, its physical presence in France, raised “many waves” within the French retail sector. This resulted in a case initiated by the French government against the Shein platform. The government asked the Paris judicial court to suspend for at least three months. 

Only a few days ago, the Court issued its decision, rejecting the Government’s request to suspend Shein’s website in the country. The court deemed the measure “disproportionate”. 

Shein and the EU 

The Chinese e-commerce stronghold is continuing to expand its European presence, opening physical stores, warehouses, and logistics centers, establishing new partnerships with EU SMEs, and providing possibilities for third-party merchants to register on their platform, use a variety of its services, and make their products available to millions of people coming to the platform to shop.