Big cold shower from Shein and Temu in the United States: customers are in shock

Online shopping platforms have transformed the way millions of people purchase products around the world. With hard-to-match deals and free shipping, Shein and Temu have become benchmarks for affordable e-commerce. However, a new measure in the United States threatens to put an end to this convenience.

Starting August 29, 2025, a regulation will take effect that will eliminate a crucial customs exemption. This will result in a significant price increase for consumers who shop on these platforms. Thus, U.S. authorities have decided to close a door that until now benefited both sellers and buyers.

The end of an advantage that boosted sales

The trigger was an executive order signed on June 30 by President Donald Trump. This order eliminates the tariff exemption known as "de minimis," which allowed the import of products up to $800 without paying taxes. This exception had been in effect since 1930 and especially favored imports from China.

Thanks to this rule, companies like Shein and Temu managed to establish a strong position in the U.S. market. The system allowed millions of packages to arrive in the country without additional charges, making every purchase a bargain. Between 2018 and 2023, Chinese exports of low-cost products rose from $5.3 billion to $66 billion.

With the new measure, packages valued below the $800 threshold will also have to pay the corresponding tariffs, according to The Street. This requirement will apply to shipments outside the international postal network, which includes much of e-commerce. The change could lead to a significant increase in the price of products sold on these platforms.

A direct blow to the consumer's wallet

According to the data, more than 50% of the packages that currently benefit from this exemption come from China. Of that total, more than 30% corresponds to shipments from Shein and Temu, so the impact will be immediate and significant. These companies could be forced to raise prices to offset the new import costs.

The Cato Institute, a think tank with a progressive outlook, has warned about the possible social consequences. According to their analysis, the most affected will be consumers with lower purchasing power. Many of them depend on these platforms to access basic or affordable products.

Starting August 29, shopping on Shein or Temu will no longer be as cheap as before. Regular buyers will notice a difference in the total of their orders. While the products will remain available, the increase in expenses could make these platforms lose some of their appeal among the U.S. public.