Temu and Shein price hikes begin ahead of Trump's tariffs
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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
China-based e-commerce vendors Shein and Temu have passed tariff costs along to their customers ahead of President Trump's tariff policies going into effect on Friday.
Why it matters: These increases could make the low-cost items unaffordable to American consumers.
- The price hikes started on April 25, multiple outlets reported. In some cases, it more than doubled the cost of products.
Catch up quick: On Tuesday, Amazon denied reports that it planned to list how much tariffs increased product prices.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed the move as a "hostile and political act." A spokesperson for the company said the move was being considered for Amazon Haul, its discount store.
- Meanwhile, Trump called Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who he said "solved the problem very quickly."
Context: Trump closed a trade loophole that allowed cheap goods from China to avoid tariffs, while also increasing a levy that affects foreign online retailers.
- The exemption previously allowed packages valued below $800 to enter the U.S. duty free.
State of play: Earlier this month, both companies told customers in similar messages that they'd hike prices beginning on April 25.
- Reddit users shared screenshots of their online carts with international freight charges. Axios cannot verify their purchases, and efforts to replicate the message were unsuccessful.
- Instead, the website directed some U.S.-based customers to items already in local warehouses, promoting that those purchases would not have import charges.
Meanwhile, Shein's website on Tuesday told customers: "Tariffs are included in the price you pay. You'll never have to pay extra at delivery."
- For example, a Shein item purchased in January 2024 with a sticker price of $20.49 was listed at $34.59 on Tuesday, marking a 69% increase.
Go deeper: What to know about Amazon Haul, the Temu and Shein competitor
