Shein shook up South Africa’s fashion scene by using a customs rule that let small packages pay lower taxes, making its clothes very cheap and tough for local stores to compete. But in 2025, the government stepped in and changed the rules, raising tariffs and closing the loophole to protect local businesses. This shift made Shein’s prices go up and gave South African shops a chance to bounce back. The story shows how global online shopping can clash with local laws and the struggle to balance cheap goods with fair trade and community jobs.
