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Temu, the Chinese e-commerce platform known for its budget-friendly offerings, has ceased shipping products directly from China to the United States in response to shifting trade policies and steep tariff hikes.
This strategic change comes after the U.S. government, under a new executive order by President Donald Trump, dismantled the de minimis rule. The rule previously allowed goods valued at $800 or less to enter the country duty-free. Additionally, tariffs on Chinese imports have surged by over 100%, creating major operational hurdles for both international and domestic retail players.
As a result, American consumers browsing Temu recently encountered steep “import charges” ranging from 130% to 150% added to their purchases, according to reports.
In response, Temu has stopped offering items shipped directly from China, with such listings now marked as out of stock. The platform currently features only products stored in U.S. warehouses.
Despite the transition, “Temu’s pricing for U.S. consumers remains unchanged as the platform transitions to a local fulfillment model,” a company spokesperson confirmed. “All sales in the U.S. are now handled by locally based sellers, with orders fulfilled from within the country.”
To support this shift, the company has ramped up efforts to onboard more domestic sellers.
“Temu’s pricing for U.S. consumers remains unchanged as the platform transitions to a local fulfillment model,” the spokesperson added, emphasizing that the initiative is “designed to help local merchants reach more customers and grow their businesses.”
This pivot not only reflects Temu’s agility in adapting to the evolving trade landscape but also marks a significant shift in how global e-commerce platforms may operate in the American market moving forward.
