TEMU, an e-commerce giant well-known for its cheap prices, has rolled out a new import charge that is significantly spiking the cost of products.
As the online platform confronts the newly implemented tariffs on Chinese imports, shoppers are seeing prices more than double.
ReutersTemu is hiking its prices in response to tariffs on Chinese imports[/caption] GettyTemu shoppers are paying much more for the same products due to the trade war[/caption]The current trade war has triggered much economic turmoil as President Donald Trump engages in a back-and-forth tariff battle with nations around the globe.
China has been hit particularly hard, with trade levies on most imports from the country standing at 145%.
Temu, which ships heavily discounted goods straight from China to consumers, is feeling the repercussions and passing along the costs to shoppers.
In response to the import tariffs imposed earlier this month, Temu has implemented a new import charge that is spiking prices.
Many products coming from China have more than doubled in price.
For example, a $34 men’s corduroy cargo jacket came out to roughly $83 once a $46.50 import charge and a $2.50 sales tax fee were added, USA Today reported on Monday.
A $119 double bed folding mattress also saw a massive price jump, costing around $273 after a $146 import charge and $8 sales tax were tacked on.
Temu warned shoppers of the impending price increases, sharing that they would take effect on April 25 and were necessary to “keep offering the products you love without compromising on quality.”
The U.S. Sun reached out to Temu for comment but did not immediately hear back.
E-commerce competitor Shein, also based in China, announced that it would similarly be forced to raise prices beginning on April 25 due to the 145% tariff.
As of April 28, Shein’s website did not display an explicit import charge, according to USA Today.
However, when placing items in their cart, shoppers were met with a new message at the top stating: “Tariffs are included in the price you pay. You’ll never have to pay extra at delivery.”
While the trade war remains an ongoing challenge, the president announced late this month that the 145% tariff on Chinese imports would “come down substantially” in the future, raising hopes that prices may return to normal levels.
LOOPHOLE LOSS
The high tariff rate on shipments from China to the US is not the only economic challenge that sites like Temu and Shein are facing.
Why has Trump hit China, Canada, and Mexico with tariffs?
DONALD Trump has imposed 10% tariffs on Chinese imports and Beijing has retaliated. Trump also hit Canada and Mexico with 25% tariffs, but walked back many of them on March 6
China:
Trump believes China has not done enough to stop the production of chemicals used to make the drug fentanyl. China has slammed Trump for the claim and described fentanyl as America’s problem. The country also said the tariffs are a “serious violation” of the World Trade Organization rules. China is filing a lawsuit with the WTO against the US for “wrongful practice.” China serves as a major supplier of auto parts to the US. Phones, computers, and other key electronic devices were also in the top imports from China last year, according to Commerce Department data. In 2023, the US imported around $427 billion worth of products from China, according to the US Census Bureau. Data reveals that 78% of all smartphones imported from the US came from China. Trump’s tariff threat has sparked fears of price rises for fashion items and toys. Beijing has responded by outlining its own tariffs on American goods, sparking fears of an all-out trade war between the two superpowers.Canada:
Trump ignited a trade war with Canada and Mexico during his first days in office as part of a campaign promise to stop the flow of fentanyl and illegal immigrants into the United States. He said both countries had not done enough to halt the drug flow and the mass influx of migrants from reaching US soil. A total of 59 pounds of fentanyl was seized at the northern border by US agents between 2022 and 2024, according to the Canadian government. Meanwhile, almost 62,000 pounds of the drug was seized at the southern border. The 25% tariffs Trump proposed on Canadian goods were destined to come into force on March 4. Canada responded with a 25% tariff on $155 billion of American imports. On March 6, Trump warned the 25% tariff on steel and aluminium would come into force on March 12. Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded with a 25% surcharge on electricity exported to Michigan, Minnesota, and New York. Trump then threatened to double the 25% tariff to 50%. The Ontario premier warned that he “will not hesitate to increase” the levies or completely shut off power to the three US northeastern states. Both sides then agreed to talk and toned down their threat. Ford then paused the electricity surcharge.Mexico:
Mexico has managed to twice postpone Trump’s tariffs on Mexican goods. On February 1, Trump signed an executive order to impose tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China. But, on February 3, Trump agreed to pause the levies against Canada and Mexico after the countries took steps to appease Trump’s concerns on border security and drug trafficking. Trump then threatened that the 25% tariffs would come into force on March 4. Two days later, Trump announced a delay on most goods covered under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Trump credited Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s progress on border security and drug smuggling as a reason for the pause on the levies. The Mexican Navy has seized thousands of kilograms of drugs from criminal gangs. Sheinbaum promised to deploy 10,000 extra troops to the Mexico-US border. Still, Trump has maintained that on April 2, the US will begin imposing reciprocal tariffs on all its trading partners, including Mexico.The Chinese e-commerce giants are likewise being impacted by Trump’s removal of the trade loophole known as the “de minimis” exemption.
The legal provision previously permitted low-value imports priced under $800 to enter the US without incurring import taxes.
Trump’s executive order described ending the exemption as a means to halt “deceptive shipping practices by Chinese-based shippers, many of whom hide illicit substances, including synthetic opioids, in low-value packages.”
Temu and Shein relied heavily on the loophole, shipping millions of cheap packages to the country on a daily basis.
However, the US is getting rid of de minimis for China and Hong Kong beginning on May 2.
Roughly 92% of all packages entering the country falls under the de minimis exemption, per the Customs and Border Patrol.
Cargo worth $800 or less will face new tariffs and fees once the loophold ends, with some increases planned for June, according to the White House.
Beyond raising prices, Temu has made other big changes.
One such change was an attempt for the company to become “more like Amazon” – and customers will see more products.
Temu made another major online change that could significantly impact loyal shoppers in the US.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Temu known for cheap prices rolls out new ‘import’ charges – and shoppers spot costs have more than doubled )
Also on site :