Temu adds ‘Import Charges’ as Trump tariffs disrupt China-based retailers

Online retail platform Temu has begun adding steep “import charges” of around 145% to orders shipped to the United States, a direct response to President Donald Trump’s newly imposed tariffs on Chinese goods, CNBC reported.

The additional charges are significantly raising costs for U.S. consumers. In one example cited by CNBC, a summer dress listed at $18.47 on Temu now costs $44.68 after $26.21 in import fees—making the fees more expensive than the item itself.

While fast-fashion competitor Shein has also increased prices in reaction to the tariffs, it has not yet applied separate import charges.

The price hikes follow warnings issued by both companies earlier this month that U.S. customers would face higher prices starting April 25. The hikes are due to a 145% tariff on Chinese-made goods and the termination of a long-standing customs exemption that previously allowed imports under $800 to enter the U.S. without duty.

The new trade measures, part of Trump’s broader tariff policy, have disrupted the low-cost, high-volume sales models that platforms like Temu and Shein rely on, prompting operational changes and customer backlash across U.S. markets.

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