Temu halts shipping direct from China as de minimis tariff loophole is cut off
Share this @internewscast.com

Chinese discount retailer Temu has adjusted its business strategy in the U.S. in response to new regulations set by the Trump administration regarding low-value shipments, which took effect on Friday.

Recently, Temu has transitioned its online platform to only showcase products available from warehouses based in the U.S. Previously dominant items shipped directly from China now appear as out of stock.

Temu established its reputation in the U.S. market by offering extremely cheap products shipped from China, such as $5 sneakers and $1.50 garlic presses. The retailer managed to keep its prices low by taking advantage of the de minimis rule, which has permitted items valued at $800 or less to enter the U.S. free of duties since 2016.

The loophole expired Friday at 12:01 a.m. EDT as a result of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in April. Trump briefly suspended the de minimis rule in February before reinstating the provision days later as customs officials struggled to process and collect tariffs on a mountain of low-value packages.

The end of de minimis, as well as Trump’s new 145% tariffs on China, has forced Temu to raise prices, suspend its aggressive online advertising push and now alter the selection of goods available to American shoppers to circumvent higher levies.

A Temu spokesperson confirmed to CNBC that all sales in the U.S. are now handled by local sellers and said they are fulfilled “from within the country.” Temu said pricing for U.S. shoppers “remains unchanged.”

“Temu has been actively recruiting U.S. sellers to join the platform,” the spokesperson said. “The move is designed to help local merchants reach more customers and grow their businesses.”

Before the change, shoppers who attempted to purchase Temu products shipped from China were confronted with “import charges” of between 130% and 150%. The fees often cost more than the individual item and more than doubled the price of many orders.

Temu advertises that local products have “no import charges” and “no extra charges upon delivery.”

The company, which is owned by Chinese e-commerce giant PDD Holdings, has gradually built up its inventory in the U.S. over the past year in anticipation of escalating trade tensions and the removal of de minimis.

Shein, which has also benefited from the loophole, moved to raise prices last week. The fast-fashion retailer added a banner at checkout that says, “Tariffs are included in the price you pay. You’ll never have to pay extra at delivery.”

Many third-party sellers on Amazon rely on Chinese manufacturers to source or assemble their products. The company’s Temu competitor, called Amazon Haul, has relied on de minimis to ship products priced at $20 or less directly from China to the U.S.

Amazon said Tuesday following a dustup with the White House that had it considered showing tariff-related costs on Haul products ahead of the de minimis cutoff but that it has since scrapped those plans.

Prior to Trump’s second term in office, the Biden administration had also looked to curtail the provision. Critics of the de minimis provision argue that it harms American businesses and that it facilitates shipments of fentanyl and other illicit substances because, they say, the packages are less likely to be inspected by customs agents.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

China Resumes Panda Diplomacy: Giant Pandas Set to Return to Atlanta Zoo

BEIJING – The city of Atlanta is set to welcome giant pandas…

Urgent Investigation: Malnourished Cows in Apopka Spark Concern Among Orange County Authorities

APOPKA, Fla. – This week, a stir was caused online by a…

Tragic Tractor Accident Claims Toddler’s Life: Father Allegedly Flees Scene

BRISTOL, Virginia. (WJHL) — A tragic accident claimed the life of a…

Brave Protest: Wives Defy US Raid and Demand Justice for Husbands Detained in Venezuela

CARACAS – In the heart of Venezuela’s bustling capital, Mileidy Mendoza and…

Greeneville Resident Arrested Linked to North Carolina Murder Investigation

Authorities in Madison County, North Carolina, have apprehended a Greeneville, Tennessee resident,…

Revolutionizing the Race: AI Smart Glasses Empower Visually Impaired Runners at the London Marathon

LONDON – As she jogs past the iconic Buckingham Palace, Tilly Dowler…

Massive Invasion: Jakarta Launches Urgent Cleanup to Combat Destructive ‘Janitor Fish’ Crisis

JAKARTA – Jubilant cheers erupted across Indonesia’s bustling capital on Friday as…

Family Demands Justice After Mother Tragically Killed on State Road 46 While Walking with Baby

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Authorities from the Florida Highway Patrol are diligently…