Friday, May 8, 2026

Temu to stop selling goods from China directly to US customers

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Temu has said it will stop selling goods imported from China in the US directly to customers from its platform.

The online marketplace said sales would now be handled by “locally based sellers”, with orders fulfilled from within the country.

The move comes as a duty-free rule for low-value packages is closed.

Temu, and rival Chinese retail giant Shein, had previously relied on the so-called “de minimis” exemption to sell and ship low-value items directly to the US without having to pay duties or import taxes.

Temu said it had been actively recruiting US firms to join the platform.

“All sales in the US are now handled by locally based sellers, with orders fulfilled from within the country.

“The move is designed to help local merchants reach more customers and grow their businesses,” it added.

Supporters of the de minimis loophole, which applied to parcels worth less than $800 (£600), argue it helped streamline the customs process.

But both Trump and his predecessor, Joe Biden, said it damaged American businesses and was used to smuggle illegal goods, including drugs.

De minimis is a Latin term, which loosely translates to English as “of the smallest”.

In this context it refers to a US trade rule enacted by Congress in 1938 to avoid the expense of collecting only small amounts of import levies.

In the 21st Century, after a series of rises to the threshold, it allowed retailers to ship packages worth less than $800 to US customers without having to pay duties or taxes.

Shipments under the exemption accounted for more than 90 per cent of all the cargo entering the US, according to the country’s Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).

Chinese online retailers like Shein and Temu had benefited greatly from the loophole.

Both platforms attracted millions of US customers with marketing blitzes that showcased their ultra-low prices.

And it was the de minimis exemption that helped them offer those deals so cheaply.

Shein did not immediately respond to BBC requests for comment.

Last month, in almost identical statements, Shein and Temu said they had seen operating expenses rise “due to recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs”, adding they would make “price adjustments” from April 25. (BBC)

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