Temu and Shein price hikes begin ahead of Trump's tariffs

• 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