Temu and SHEIN Tell Customers To Shop Now To Avoid Price Hikes Next Week

President Donald Trump’s tariff policy is being blamed for forced price hikes from discounters Temu and SHEIN. According to emails sent by both marketplaces, the extra costs on imported goods are being passed on to customers.

Starting April 25, shoppers should expect higher prices on Temu and SHEIN. As a result, both retailers encouraged customers to buy now instead of waiting until next week.

“Due to recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs, our operating expenses have gone up,” SHEIN stated, per Sourcing Journal. “To keep offering the products you love without compromising on quality, we will be making price adjustments starting April 25, 2025.”

A letter from Temu was nearly identical. Its message also parroted the April 25 date for anticipated price changes.

“Our team is working extra hard to improve efficiency and stay true to our mission: to offer great product at affordable prices for everyone,” Temu wrote.

How Trump’s Tariff Crackdown Threatens Temu and SHEIN’s Low-Price Playbook

Offering cheap products, China-based Temu and SHEIN have grown rapidly in the U.S. Their ascensions were fueled by a U.S. customs policy known as the “de minimis” exemption, which allowed goods worth $799 or less duty-free import.

However, the Trump Administration is closing the de minimis exclusion as of May 2. Of course, without the exemption, the low-priced or even free shipping Temu and SHEIN currently offer cannot likely be sustained.

“Companies whose main reason for being was the cheapest price — and the reason they were able to offer the cheapest price was because of shipping benefits — are going to have to dig very deep to find a way to justify their prices,” explained Simeon Siegel, a retail analyst at BMO Capital Markets, per The New York Times.

Imported Chinese goods worth less than $800 shipped via the U.S. Postal Service will be subject to a 120% tariff or a $100 flat fee. The fee increases to $200 on June 1. For other carriers, like UPS, imported items will carry a 145% tariff.

While Trump’s tariffs have increased costs for Temu and SHEIN customers, the discounters could potentially mitigate the impact by shipping products in bulk to U.S.-based warehouses. Another option might be moving products to the U.S. through another country not subject to such high tariffs.