Budget Retailers Shein and Temu Boost Prices as Trump Tariffs Bite

(NewsNation) – Budget-friendly stores Shein and Temu are implementing price hikes as a result of President Trump’s tariffs. Some items have seen their costs increase by over double in recent days.

Last week, the average cost of the top 100 beauty and wellness items on Shein increased by 51%, as reported. Data gathered by Bloomberg News Some items experienced even sharper increases: a pack of 10 kitchen towels jumped 377%, and eyebrow gel climbed almost 200%.

In the meantime, the Chinese retail app Temu seems to be transferring "almost all" of President Trump's new import duties directly to American shoppers. Bloomberg said The firm has begun including "import fees" that in certain instances surpass the worth of the item itself, as reported by Bloomberg and USA Today .

U.S. customers were preparing for adjustments following announcements from both firms about increasing costs earlier this month. Almost identically worded communications indicated that Shein and Temu attributed their heightened operational expenditures to "recent alterations in international trade regulations and duties."

The pricing adjustments began on April 25, just one week prior to the expiration of the "de minimis" threshold. This policy allowed shipments with lower values to bypass specific customs documentation and avoid duties when entering the nation.

Legislators from both parties have been advocating for changes to the de minimis provision in recent years, expressing concerns that this exemption facilitates drug smuggling across national borders.

Trump eliminated the exception for products coming from China and Hong Kong and imposed a 145% tariff on numerous Chinese imports.

What items from Shein and Temu cost more?

According to Bloomberg's examination of Shein, certain product categories experienced higher price increases compared to others. From April 24 to April 25, pricing for home and kitchen items as well as toys surged over 30%. In contrast, the cost of women’s apparel increased by approximately 8%.

Here are some of the most significant price increases on Shein between April 24 and April 25, as reported by Bloomberg:

Heavy-duty kitchen cleanup cloths: +377%
Brush for sealing gaps in air conditioning: +219%
Manual chicken/meat shredder: +210%
Wax strips along with after-waxing wipes: +205%
Natural finish eyebrow gel: +199%
Collagen crack-resistant lip balm: +180%
Ultra-fine blackhead extraction forceps: +168%
Eyelash shaper tool: +152%
Apply pressure to fingernails, shiny white: +150%
Glossy sweet mint matte pearl eye shadow stick: 141%

At Shein's checkout page, they've placed a banner stating, "All tariffs are covered in the cost shown to you. There will be no additional charges upon delivery."

Temu

It seems Temu is adopting a somewhat distinct strategy by adding import fees when you reach the checkout page.

For instance, a versatile 14-in-1 power strip priced at $19.34 on Monday sees an increase to $48.32 once $27.49 in import fees are included in the total cost.

A note from Temu states during checkout, "Products brought into the U.S. might incur import fees," which encompass all expenses and procedures related to customs, including payments made to customs officials on your behalf.

A portable steam iron listed on the site’s best-selling items has a stated price of $25.80; however, when you add in the approximately $32.10 in import fees, the total cost rises to around $60.

Nevertheless, many products on Temu’s bestseller list are fulfilled from local warehouses and do not incur extra import fees.

Shoppers have flooded the “TemuThings” In recent days, subreddits have been used by people to express their frustration. one post A user posted an image of their purchase receipt showing import duties and commented, "Temu won’t be getting my business anymore. Best wishes to everyone dealing with these tariffs."

In another post, a user wrote Goodbye Temu, it was enjoyable while it lasted.

Neither Temu nor Shein promptly replied to NewsNation’s request for comment on Monday.

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