Temu Adds 145% Import Charges in Wake of Trump Tariffs, Sparking Backlash

Temu has begun tacking on “import charges” as high as 145% to products shipped from China, following the Trump administration’s new tariffs, dramatically raising costs for U.S. shoppers. The charges, which now often exceed the product’s listed price, have upended the platform’s appeal as a low-cost alternative, prompting backlash from consumers on Reddit and social media. In contrast, rival Shein has opted to bake tariffs into its prices and highlight that no additional fees will appear at checkout. As Temu scrambles to pivot, it’s accelerating promotion of U.S.-shipped products and slashing ad spend, while its app ranking and brand loyalty slide under the weight of rising costs and longer delivery times.