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Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has begun imposing additional “import charges” of approximately 145%, a direct response to tariffs instituted by President Donald Trump. These new fees, which became apparent over the weekend following price increases that took effect on Friday, can significantly inflate the overall cost of purchases, often exceeding the price of the items themselves.
For instance, a summer dress listed for $18.47 will now total $44.68 with an added $26.21 in import charges—amounting to a 142% increase. Similarly, a child’s bathing suit priced at $12.44 will cost $31.12 once the $18.68 import fee is included, resulting in a staggering 150% markup. Even a handheld vacuum cleaner initially priced at $16.93 now costs $40.11 after accounting for a $21.68 charge, reflecting a 137% surcharge.
Temu has clarified on its website, stating, “Items imported into the U.S. may be subject to import charges. These charges cover all customs-related processes and costs, including import fees paid to customs authorities on your behalf.” The company further notes that the listed fees may not mirror the actual amounts paid to customs.
While Temu has enacted these price hikes, competitor Shein has also increased its prices but has not adopted additional import charges. Shein has instead informed customers that tariffs are included in the final price, eliminating the need for extra payments upon delivery.
These actions follow Temu and Shein’s alerts earlier this month regarding upcoming price adjustments in light of Trump’s tariffs, which target a broad array of Chinese imports and the eventual removal of the de minimis exemption, effective May 2. This exemption previously allowed most packages valued under $800 to enter the U.S. without duties, greatly facilitating the growth of these retailers in the American market.
Temu announced on its website, “Due to recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs, our operating expenses have gone up. To continue providing the quality products you enjoy, we will implement price adjustments starting April 25, 2025.”
As these import fees take effect, they undermine the pricing model that initially attracted many consumers to Temu. Since its 2022 debut in the U.S., the platform—owned by PDD Holdings—gained substantial traction, largely due to its low prices on clothing, electronics, and home goods, despite longer shipping times. Temu provided an avenue for budget-conscious buyers to purchase non-essential items without significant expense.
Now, increased pricing aligns Temu more closely with established retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, but with potential shipping delays of over a week. Furthermore, Temu has decreased its online advertising spend in the U.S. since the announcement of the tariffs, leading to a marked drop in its app ranking—from consistently among the top 10 to No. 73, as reported by Sensor Tower. Shein has also seen a decrease, falling from No. 15 to 54 over the same timeframe.
‘It was nice while it lasted’
In the wake of these developments, Temu shoppers have taken to a Reddit forum, expressing their dissatisfaction with the newly implemented import charges. One user recently lamented the drastic price increases, remarking, “From shopping like a billionaire to shopping like a peasant in one day.” Another user shared a similar sentiment, posting, “R.I.P. Temu, it was nice while it lasted.”
Prior to the import charges, some consumers and media outlets had observed slight price increases on certain items. It appears the new fees are primarily applied to products not stored in local U.S. warehouses. Over the past year, Temu has made strides to establish domestic distribution centers, mitigating the impact of trade tensions and encouraging sellers to store inventory within the U.S.
Recently, Temu has emphasized products that can ship to U.S. customers from local warehouses over those shipped directly from China. This shift has intensified as the company adjusts pricing and adds new fees. For instance, a review of Temu’s “lightning deals” page revealed that over 75% of the products listed were tagged with a “local” designation, prominently featuring a banner that indicates “no import charges” at the top of the product listings.
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