If you love shopping for clothes and accessories online then you must be definitely aware of e-retailer Shein.com. And if you love buying stuff from there then there's definitely bad news as Shein.com has temporarily shut off their operations for Indian customers. The Chinese e-commerce firm has partially shut down due to customs clearance issue regarding import duty on its products. So there are high chances your order would get cancelled or you will be issued a refund by the online fashion store. Mukesh Ambani Plans to Take on Amazon, Flipkart; Reliance to Launch Online Shopping Platform Soon.

Earlier this month, Mumbai Customs apparently seized 500 parcels of Shein and Club Factory. The seizure order has shutdown on Shein warehouse in Mumbai. The officials found out the company is wrongly declaring goods. Currently the website and mobile application are still operational but it displays a message, "We are upgrading our systems for newer experience, with fresh looks and exciting offers. Request you to hold back for some time while watch this space for more!" As of now there is no official statement from Shein with regards to this shutdown.

The Indian government found out that about a dozen of firms evade custom duties by rerouting orders from duty-free samples and gifts. AliExpress and Club Factory are also among the flouting e-commerce sites. As per the information provided by the custom officials, Chinese e-commerce sites get goods disguised as gifts.  As per the domestic laws, any gifts received by Indians up to Rs 5,000 don’t attract any taxes. The customs officials found that these companies declared that their packages or B2B usage. All the while they are actually conducting B2C business with the customer orders.

All these goods escape any form of tax as they come as gifts, but following the crackdown the government has stopped import of goods through Mumbai. The warehouse now remains sealed. Online shoppers and those swearing by Shein will have to wait a while till the issue is resolved.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 05, 2019 07:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).