Shein registers quarterly loss of $US99 million ahead of Hong Kong IPO, blames ‘de minimis’ duty-free policy
Online fast-fashion retailer Shein says the removal of the ’de minimis’ duty-free policy has had an ‘adverse impact’ on sales in the United States.
Shein has swung to a loss in the first quarter of this year, the draft Hong Kong listing prospectus of the online fast-fashion retailer shows, as its sales took a hit from the United States’ removal of the “de minimis” duty-free policy.
The $US99 million ($A142 million) net loss is mentioned in a filing that lays the groundwork for investor roadshows and official book-building of its much-awaited global offering.
The Singapore-headquartered company, which was founded in China, did not disclose the size of the Hong Kong share sale, the offer price, the listing timetable or expected proceeds from the offering in the draft prospectus.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Shein won approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) for its Hong Kong listing on July 10, clearing the way for a listing after failed attempts in New York and London.
The financial details, revealed for the first time, give investors a sharper look at the pressure facing Shein as it seeks new funds amid higher costs, slower growth and growing regulatory scrutiny in key markets.
Since May 2025, the removal of the de minimis exemption has had an “adverse impact” on sales in the United States and overall growth, and has contributed to an increase in expenses, Shein said in the filing.
The de minimis rule had allowed packages worth less than $US800 to enter the US without import duties.
Shein said China-origin products sold by it or through its marketplace and shipped to the US are now subject to tax rates ranging from 10 per cent to 87.5 per cent.
The first-quarter loss was also caused by $US328 million in fair-value losses on convertible redeemable preferred shares.
These are investor shares that can later convert into ordinary shares, and their accounting value can change before a listing.
It posted net income of $US395 million in the same quarter a year earlier.
Revenue rose 1.1 per cent to $US9.05 billion from $US8.95 billion.
The filing listed founder Sky Yangtian Xu as chairman and chief executive.
Donald Tang, who had served as executive chairman, was not listed among Shein’s directors or senior management.
Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan are joint sponsors of the listing, the filing showed.
