Taking Aim at Temu and Shein, Amazon Launches ‘Haul’

Amazon is seemingly tired of watching Chinese companies Temu and SHEIN dominate the deep discount retail marketplace. Taking direct aim at the two companies, the world’s largest online seller is flexing its muscles by launching a mobile-only, discount storefront called “Amazon Haul.”

According to Amazon’s announcement, the products offered on Haul, from electronics to clothing, retail for less than $20. U.S. shoppers will also find many items are under $10, and some as low as $1. By adding more products to a single order, customers can get bonus savings, such as 10% off orders of $75 or greater.

“Finding great products at very low prices is important to customers, and we continue to explore ways that we can work with our selling partners so they can offer products at ultra-low prices,” said Dharmesh Mehta, Amazon’s vice president of Worldwide Selling Partner Services. 

Amazon Haul Compared to Temu and SHEIN

Of course, with low prices, Haul customers also must be prepared for some drawbacks compared to the usual Amazon experience. Orders take one to two weeks for delivery, and a $3.99 shipping fee applies for orders under $25.

Temu provides free standard shipping on most orders, with the option for express shipping at $12.90. SHEIN shipping costs $3.99 for orders less than $29, and express shipping is also available for $12.90.

Customers will still get Amazon’s A-to-z Guarantee, which covers items sold by Amazon or a third-party, when they buy through Haul. Amazon also promises to evaluate products to ensure they are “safe, authentic, and compliant with applicable regulations.” In addition, Amazon will accept returns for items over $3 “within 15 days of delivery,” and returned items can be dropped off at various locations, including Amazon Lockers, UPS, and Staples.

SHEIN and Temu have similar return policies. Products received from SHEIN can be returned for free for the first items within an order shipped together, but there is a $7.99 fee for additional items from the same order if returned separately. While not all items are returnable, Temu customers can send back orders for free if the order was delivered within the last 90 days.

To get Amazon Haul, U.S. customers have to simply update the Amazon Shopping app on their devices. After which, searching “Haul” in the search bar or tapping “Amazon Haul” under the main menu will bring up the storefront.