Temu Shoppers Hit with a New Surprise: Import Charges Are Here

U.S. bargain hunters are getting an unexpected addition to their checkout carts: hefty new “import charges” on Temu, the Chinese shopping app famous for its eye-catching low prices.

The cause? A major shake-up in trade policy. Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced a new wave of tariffs: a 10% duty on all imports, and an even steeper 145% tariff aimed directly at Chinese goods. The new rules also close off the “de minimis” loophole, a long-standing policy that had allowed packages valued under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free.

That loophole had been a key part of Temu’s success in the American market. It let the platform ship millions of small, inexpensive items — from trendy outfits to phone chargers — straight to shoppers’ doorsteps with almost no added costs. Now, that business model faces a far less friendly landscape.

Temu has made its response clear: it’s passing the new expenses on to customers. Import charges are now clearly listed at checkout, often adding significant costs to otherwise cheap items. For instance, a summer dress priced at $18.47 now carries a $26.21 import charge — more than the cost of the dress itself. A $11.68 power strip? Add $27.56 more. It’s an adjustment that could leave some shoppers with bigger bills than they bargained for.

Behind the scenes, Temu’s parent company, PDD Holdings, is feeling the pressure too. The company’s stock recently hovered around $103.21, reflecting investor uncertainty about how the tariffs could squeeze margins and slow growth in its crucial U.S. market.

Temu isn’t alone in facing these challenges. Other retailers that rely heavily on Chinese manufacturing, including Shein, Walmart, and Target, have warned that higher tariffs could force broader price hikes. Analysts are watching closely to see how the changes ripple through the retail sector — and whether they contribute further to inflationary pressures.

For everyday shoppers, the landscape is changing. The days of filling a cart with $2 gadgets and $5 dresses without a second thought may be fading. Temu’s new charges are a reminder that global trade policy isn’t just something that happens in faraway negotiations — it’s something that can show up right on your final receipt.

In short: the online bargain bin isn’t closing, but soon, the best deal might be whichever one comes with the smallest surprise fee.