If you buy from Temu, expect to pay more than double what you’re used to.
In response to Trump’s tariffs, the e-commerce platform is rolling out new “import charges” for US orders shipped from China. So, products that typically cost $20 can balloon to $50.
Effective May 2, the US is preparing to tariff incoming packages at 120% (or postal carriers can also choose a flat $100 per-item fee). That’s when an exemption on orders less than $800 goes away, meaning even that $5 T-shirt from Temu (or Shein) is subject to tariffs. But Temu is getting ahead of that deadline, and is already imposing the new import charges since packages from China take over a week to arrive in the US.
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The import fees are causing some US customers to say goodbye to the platform. “Glad I don’t pay that in Canada,” wrote one user on Reddit.
Look for Temu’s ‘Local Warehouse’ Tag
US buyers can still find many products on Temu without import charges since they have already arrived in the US and are being stored and shipped from US warehouses. Temu is highlighting these goods through a new “local” label, explaining: “No import charges for all local warehouse items and no extra charges upon delivery.”
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(Credit: Temu)
It remains unclear when the local inventory will run out. But it’s possible Temu will try to source more goods from Vietnam and other markets to bypass Trump’s tariffs.
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About Michael Kan
Senior Reporter
