Chinese fast-fashion company Shein is joining a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Section 321 Data Pilot program, where it will voluntarily offer additional import information about packages it ships into the country.

Shein has frequently faced criticism for exploiting loopholes in so-called de minimis laws, which exempt individual shipments valued under $800 from increased CBP scrutiny, as well as import duties and taxes. The fast fashion giant has also been linked to allegations of forced labor and poor working conditions related to several of its suppliers, and has been accused of allowing counterfeit goods to run rampant across its online store. In a December 19 release, the company asserted that its participation in the CBP's pilot program "underscores its commitment to rigorous transparency." 

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"By disclosing more details about the contents of each package, we can help ease CBP's burdens, so they can focus on maintaining the efficient flow of legitimate trade, while protecting public safety, the U.S. economy, and importantly – American consumers," Shein executive chairman Donald Tang said. 

The Section 321 program dates back to 2019, and was first designed to gather import data on low-value shipments from major retailers to better identify counterfeit goods. The program's initial list of participants included Amazon, eBay, Zulily, FedEx, DHL and UPS among others. CBP put out a notice calling for more companies to join the pilot in February 2023.