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Empty your carts! Temu, Shein hiking prices this week over tariffs

Kalé Carey (Reporter)

Summary

Price hikes

Shein and Temu have announced plans to raise prices for U.S. customers beginning April 25.

Trump's tariffs

The Chinese retailers cite President Donald Trump’s tariffs against China as the reason for the increase. 

How much?

It’s unclear how much their prices will increase, but both companies emphasized they will work to reduce the impact on customers.

Temu and Shein are upping their prices. The famously affordable items will get a price hike due to Trump’s tariffs against China. 
Image credit: Oliver Berg/picture alliance via Getty Images
This recording was made using enhanced software.

Summary

Price hikes

Shein and Temu have announced plans to raise prices for U.S. customers beginning April 25.

Trump's tariffs

The Chinese retailers cite President Donald Trump’s tariffs against China as the reason for the increase. 

How much?

It’s unclear how much their prices will increase, but both companies emphasized they will work to reduce the impact on customers.

Full story

Temu and Shein shoppers should clear what’s in their carts before Friday, April 25, because the Chinese retailers are upping their prices in the coming days. The famously affordable items will get a price hike, and the companies say it’s due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs against China. 

Shein, Temu announce price hikes

In a statement, Shein said, “Thank you for your continued support. Since we began serving U.S. shoppers, our goal has been simple: to offer great fashion at affordable prices while creating a positive impact in the communities we serve. Due to recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs, our operating expenses have gone up. To keep offering the products you love without compromising on quality.” 

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Temu issued a similar notice to customers, saying in part. “We’re doing everything we can to keep prices low and minimize the impact on you. Our team is working extra hard to improve efficiency and stay true to our mission: to offer great products at affordable prices for everyone.”

The e-commerce giants made the announcement that price increases for customers will take effect April 25.

Trump issues tariffs against Chinese imports

The Trump administration imposed steep tariffs on Chinese imported goods, in addition to closing a decades-old exemption. In some cases, tariffs on Chinese imports can be up to 245%. 

Trump issued an executive order targeting the “de minimis” loophole, which allowed businesses to ship products worth less than $800 into the U.S. without paying taxes. The White House said come May 2, the de minimis tax exemption will end. 

In early April, the president put 30% tariffs in place for de minimis packages. However, after China issued retaliatory tariffs against the U.S., the White House announced that its tariffs would be raised to 90%. 

U.S. officials said in 2024, nearly 4 million shipments each day relied on the de minimis exemption, accounting for 90% of packages.

Shein and Temu didn’t disclose how much their prices would increase when making their announcements. 

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Why this story matters

The announcement of price hikes by Temu and Shein is significant as it highlights the direct impact of U.S. trade policy on consumer prices and e-commerce dynamics.

Consumer impact

The price increases directly affect consumers, forcing them to adjust their shopping habits and budget due to the rising costs of previously affordable products.

Trade policy effects

The escalation of tariffs under the Trump administration illustrates how political decisions can ripple through global trade, impacting market prices and international relations.

E-commerce challenges

The challenges faced by online retailers like Shein and Temu due to tariff changes demonstrate the vulnerabilities in global supply chains and the complexities of maintaining low prices amid regulatory shifts.

Get the big picture

Synthesized coverage insights across 319 media outlets

Community reaction

Local communities, especially in economically vulnerable areas, are voicing concerns over rising prices and potential economic strain due to increased tariffs. Anecdotes from consumers depict a sense of urgency to stock up on goods before price hikes, reflecting broader anxieties about affording essentials amidst a changing economic landscape.

Debunking

Reports indicating that tariffs alone will fix the trade imbalance overlook additional complexities in global trade dynamics. Numerous economists warn that while tariffs may protect certain domestic industries, they often lead to higher prices for consumers without guaranteeing a corresponding increase in American manufacturing jobs.

Do the math

Under the new tariffs, U.S. consumers could see costs increase by about $3,800 annually per household due to higher prices on imported goods. For the e-commerce sector, the elimination of the 'de minimis' provision could mean significant losses, with estimates indicating it facilitated around $1 billion in duty-free imports last year.

Sources

  1. Shein
  2. Temu
  3. The White House
  4. The White House

Bias comparison

  • Media outlets on the left framed tariff implementations as directly causing price increases for consumers, exemplified by the phrase "Trump tariff price hikes." They also emphasized the impact on consumers, including social media reactions to price hikes, and used terms like "sky-high tariff" and "ultra-low prices" to describe the shift.
  • Not enough coverage from media outlets in the center to provide a bias comparison.
  • Media outlets on the right highlighted the "Trump administration closes tariff loophole" and framed price increases as a response to "pressure from Trump's trade policies," implicitly supporting the administration's actions. These outlets de-emphasized consumer sentiment and focused on the role of tariffs in countering the flow of illicit drugs and potential environmental harms, describing the bargain prices as "extreme."

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Media landscape

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319 total sources

Key points from the Left

  • Temu and Shein announced they will increase prices for U.S. customers starting April 25, due to rising operating expenses from tariffs and trade rule changes.
  • A 145% import tariff on Chinese products will begin affecting Temu and Shein, adding to their business challenges.
  • The closure of the de minimis exemption on May 2 will impose additional charges on low-value goods from China.
  • U.S. politicians have pushed for these tariff changes, arguing that the previous loophole promoted unfair advantages for cheap Chinese goods.

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Key points from the Center

  • Temu and Shein plan to raise prices for U.S. customers starting April 25 due to increased operating expenses from tariffs and trade rule changes.
  • Both companies cited President Donald Trump's 145% tariff on Chinese goods as a significant factor affecting their business models.
  • An executive order signed by Trump will eliminate the de minimis provision for Chinese goods, increasing import taxes starting May 2.
  • Both companies have encouraged customers to shop before the price increases take effect, aiming to minimize the impact on their business.

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Key points from the Right

  • Temu and Shein will increase prices for U.S. consumers starting April 25, due to higher operating costs from changes in global trade rules and tariffs.
  • Shein stated, "Due to recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs, our operating expenses have gone up," prompting the price adjustments.
  • President Donald Trump signed an executive order eliminating a customs exemption for low-value imports from China effective May 2.
  • The new 145% tariff is intended to counter a trade imbalance and illegal importation of synthetic opioids.

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Timeline

Sources

  1. Shein
  2. Temu
  3. The White House
  4. The White House

Timeline