Settlement of Consumer Protection Lawsuit Against Shein for Unlawful Shipping Delays

Shein Final Judgement (PDF, 153 KB)

Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez, along with the District Attorneys of Napa, Los Angeles, and San Francisco Counties, announced today the settlement of a consumer protection lawsuit against Shein, a global ecommerce company specializing in “fast fashion.” Defendants will pay a total of $700,000 in civil penalties and investigative costs to settle the civil law enforcement complaint, which alleged the defendants engaged in unlawful business practices by failing to properly notify consumers or offer them refunds when their orders failed to ship on time.

“Companies doing business with California consumers must follow the law. Our Environmental and Consumer Law Division is working with other District Attorney’s Offices throughout California to hold companies accountable, ensure that consumers get the benefit of their bargains, and enforce California’s robust consumer protection laws,” said DA Rodriguez.

California law requires that, unless a longer time period is indicated, orders placed over the internet must be shipped within 30 days, or sooner if the company promises an expedited shipping timeframe. If the products cannot be shipped within 30 days, the company must take additional steps, such as sending a notice, which informs the consumer of the expected length of delay and offers the opportunity for a refund. The complaint alleges that Shein repeatedly failed to ship products within the required timeframes, or to provide the required delay notices or offers of refunds.

The civil complaint was filed in Napa County Superior Court. In addition to the civil penalties and investigative costs, Shein is prohibited from making untrue or misleading statements about the time it takes to ship or deliver products, and from violating the laws relating to the shipping delays. Shein worked cooperatively with prosecutors throughout the investigation.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew Cheever and Deputy District Attorney Katy Yount were the prosecutors for the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office.

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