There are just four days left before Chinese e-commerce sites Shein and Temu will raise prices due to recent tariff increases.
Both companies issued recent notices announcing the price increases, which will take effect April 25.
The increases come after President Donald Trump enacted a series of tariffs on China, increasing tariffs and eliminating a tax exemption on goods imported from China.
Most recently, China has upped tariffs on U.S imported goods to 125%. The White House has also increased tariffs on Chinese imported goods to 125%, on top of other increases. Trump also issued a 90-day pause for the tariffs he imposed on other countries, minus China.
Here’s what you need to know about Shein and Temu’s price increases.
What is Shein saying about the tariffs and increase?
In a customer notice shared on its website, Shein thanked customers for their support and said the company still wants customers to be able to patronize the site for their fashion needs.
However, “due to recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs, our operating expenses have gone up,” Shein said in the statement. “To keep offering the products you love without compromising on quality, we will be making price adjustments starting April 25, 2025.”
The company has promised to keep prices the same until April 25.
What is Temu saying?
Temu also issued a statement to customers nearly identical to Shein’s. The notice, which has made its rounds online, said the company is doing everything it can to make sure customers get their products on time.
What are tariffs?
Tariffs, sometimes called duties, are taxes that governments apply to goods imported from other countries, according to the International Trade Administration. National sales and local taxes, as well as some customs fees, can also be charged.
Trump announced April 2 that while looking into the U.S.’ financial woes, his administration found “a lack of reciprocity in our bilateral trade relationships,” with other countries posing a national threat. He also noted “disparate tariff rates” and declared a national emergency.
The Trump administration said that most recently, the U.S. has imposed a 125% reciprocal tariff on Chinese imported goods, in addition to a 20% tariff to address the fentanyl crisis and tariffs on “specific goods, between 7.5% and 100%.”