The change has additionally confused Temu sellers in China, who apparently weren’t notified forward of time that Individuals would quickly not be capable of browse their merchandise. Including to the confusion is the truth that Temu allegedly eliminated a lot of China-based sellers from its platform final week, solely to rapidly reverse the measure, main some sellers to initially consider the identical situation was taking place once more, based on sellers who shared their experiences on the Chinese language social media website Xiaohongshu.
The furnishings and residential decor vendor confirmed to WIRED that each one his merchandise shipped from China have been eliminated, a call they consider was made in response to the tip of the “de minimis” exception, a rule that enables Individuals to import packages from anyplace on the earth valued below $800 while not having to pay import duties.
Temu, Shein, and different corporations that ship buyer orders instantly from China have benefited from the commerce provision for years, however critics say it has given international on-line procuring platforms an unfair benefit. Trump issued an government order earlier this yr declaring that de minimis would not apply to shipments from China beginning on Could 2.
“It could be that the platform must make some regulatory changes throughout this troublesome interval,” says the Temu furnishings vendor.
Ultimately, Trump’s commerce struggle might essentially alter the way in which Temu operates within the US and its methods for retaining American prospects. The corporate grew to become fashionable within the US each due to its lavish promoting spending and the truth that it may persistently present decrease costs for comparable objects supplied on different ecommerce platforms. With excessive tariffs on Chinese language imports and the tip of de minimis exemption, the price of Temu merchandise may go up fairly considerably, and it could additionally take longer for individuals to obtain packages now topic to a extra rigorous customs clearance course of.
Even earlier than Trump introduced the tariffs, Temu was already making modifications to its enterprise mannequin, together with storing extra stock in US-based warehouses and experimenting with a extra conventional, Amazon-esque logistics construction. The platform can be at present exploring one other delivery program it calls “Y2,” which Temu began onboarding Chinese language sellers to on April 27, according to Chinesellers, a e-newsletter targeted on cross-border ecommerce.
Because the publication explains, Y2 is a extra versatile variation of Temu’s current US warehousing mannequin, with sellers delivery particular person orders somewhat than bulk stock. However the sellers are in command of dealing with the brand new tariffs and customs declaration course of, in addition to any issues which will include it, somewhat than Temu shouldering the burden. In some ways, it’s just like an current Amazon logistics choice referred to as “Success by Service provider,” or FBM.
These platform-wide modifications spotlight how fast Temu has been adapting to the present risky coverage atmosphere, however the firm additionally dangers dropping what was as soon as a core a part of its identification and comparative benefit. “It strikes me as a large step backwards for Temu. What has actually helped Temu differentiate itself from Want and AliExpress is it controls the availability chain, so it will probably assure the supply pace and the extent of high quality assurance to supply a constant expertise,” says Kaziukėnas.
The furnishings Temu vendor tells WIRED that they’ve to date held again from leaping on the Y2 wagon. “We’re a big group, so we won’t make modifications in a single day. We’re nonetheless observing to see if the insurance policies will change,” the vendor explains.
Temu can be making an attempt to extend its gross sales in different markets like Europe, the place tariffs on Chinese language imports stay far decrease than within the US. One Chinese language Temu vendor tells WIRED that whereas their US listings have been eliminated, their total gross sales have elevated because of progress from different areas.