Shein has agreed to pay US$700,000 to settle a civil lawsuit brought by four California district attorneys, resolving allegations that the fast fashion retailer violated state consumer protection laws related to delayed shipping and refund practices.

Filed in Napa County Superior Court, the lawsuit accused Shein of failing to ship online orders within 30 days—a requirement under California law—and not providing customers with adequate delay notices or timely refunds. The settlement includes US$600,000 in civil penalties and US$100,000 in investigative costs, to be shared among district attorneys in Napa, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sonoma counties.

As part of the agreement, Shein is prohibited from making false or misleading statements regarding shipping timelines and must comply with all applicable consumer notification and refund laws. The company cooperated with investigators throughout the process.

The case underscores ongoing regulatory scrutiny of fast fashion’s fulfillment practices and consumer rights enforcement in California. With a global model built on speed and scale, Shein’s shipping practices came under legal challenge amid increased expectations for transparency and compliance. The outcome signals heightened accountability for international e-commerce platforms operating in the U.S. market.