Shein's U.S. IPO Plans Could Be Delayed by Filing with Chinese Regulator

The online fashion company's decision to comply with new Chinese listing rules raises questions about its global positioning.

Shein, the Singapore-based online fashion company, has filed with the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) for approval to go public in the United States.
The filing is in compliance with new Chinese listing rules for local firms seeking offshore listings, which were implemented in March.
The process could potentially delay Shein's plans for its IPO due to a lengthy approval process with various Chinese regulators and potential increased scrutiny in the U.S., especially in an election year.
Shein, which does not own or operate any manufacturing facilities, works with approximately 5,400 third-party contract manufacturers, primarily in China, and ships most of its products directly from China to customers worldwide.
Shein's filing with a Chinese regulator raises questions about its efforts to position itself as a global company, having moved its headquarters to Singapore from Nanjing in late 2021.