Reports from Cuba indicate that clothing from the Chinese brand Shein is sold at exorbitant prices in Cuba and that it is second-hand. Something not surprising if you take into account that the resale of lower quality garments is common on the island in the midst of these shortages.
Recently, official Cuban media denounced the presence of second-hand clothing and the Shein brand on the black market and in MSMEs at exorbitant prices. They even compared their costs with products from large textile companies such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton or Gucci, without having the same quality.
Cubadebate published a comment criticizing these practices, pointing out that Shein, despite its global popularity, has been the subject of criticism for the quality of its products: low-quality fabrics, inconsistent sizes and poor finishes. However, the reality lies in questioning:What other option does Cubans have to buy new clothes? in your national currency?
The concern, according to officials, is that these garments are sold at exorbitant prices in Cuba, taking advantage of demand and the scarcity of options. This is a phenomenon that is repeated with second-hand clothing, which is also sold at excessive prices.
Shein in Cuba, prices, clothes, shoes
This situation generates an unequal market where the majority of the population cannot access quality clothing at reasonable prices. It is a problem that requires solutions from the authorities to guarantee access to clothing in a fair and equitable manner. But blaming Shein in Cuba is not the solution, nor even the real problem. It all starts with the fact that the Cuban “on foot” with his salary has no options.
Although Shein does not allow direct purchases from Cuba, there is an alternative to purchase its products. The process works as follows. A seller in Cuba, with access to a Visa or Mastercard card and a family member in another country (such as the United States, Mexico or Spain), acts as an intermediary.
The customer in Cuba selects the garments they want from Shein and tells the seller the characteristics (size, color, etc.). The customer makes payment to the seller in Cuba, usually in cash or by bank transfer.
The seller, using the card of his family member abroad, makes the purchase on the Shein website or application. The seller’s relative abroad receives the package and sends it to Cuba and it is delivered to the island.
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