Britain’s government is weighing whether to bring forward parts of its clampdown on the cheap imports Shein and Temu rely on, after UK retailers pressed for quicker action, according to The Times. Current rules let parcels valued at £135 or under enter the UK duty-free, a relief the Treasury said at the Autumn Budget it would remove no later than March 2029. Retailers including Sainsbury’s, Currys, and AO World argue the setup hands overseas platforms an unfair edge, and The Entertainer’s CEO called the 2029 timetable unacceptable. Pressure has grown as other markets move faster, with the U.S. scrapping its de minimis exemption a year ago and the EU readying a temporary tariff on cheap parcels. Treasury officials say removing the relief will support UK businesses, protect high streets, and tighten border controls.
