Picture this: You’re scrolling Temu for that quirky phone charger or rainbow LED lamp – only to find fewer options and higher prices. Why? A major shift just rocked the e-commerce world ahead of new U.S. tariffs. 🔌💸
Days before America ditched its tariff exemption for low-value Chinese imports on May 2, Temu quietly axed thousands of products shipped directly from small vendors in the Chinese mainland. These sellers relied on the now-expired “de minimis” rule, which let packages under $800 enter the U.S. duty-free. 📦🚫
The result? Cheaper goods shipped individually (think $5 earrings or $10 kitchen gadgets) are vanishing from virtual shelves. With new duties and complex paperwork, Temu is prioritizing bulk shipments stored in U.S. warehouses – leaving smaller Chinese sellers scrambling and shoppers facing pricier alternatives once local stock runs dry. 🏃♂️💨
“It’s like a retail therapy cliffhanger,” says Austin-based college student Maya Lin, noting her favorite budget-friendly skincare masks became unavailable overnight. “First TikTok gets banned, now this?” 😷📉
Experts warn the move could reshape global e-commerce habits: Will consumers pay more for speed, or wait weeks for cheaper items? One thing’s clear – the US-China trade saga just got a viral supply chain plot twist. 🚢✨
