Why Temu Deals Are No Longer Cheap

By Greg Collier

Temu, a Chinese-based online retailer known for offering ultralow prices, is now charging U.S. customers significant import fees. This development illustrates a basic reality of how tariffs have always worked. Increased costs are usually passed directly to consumers.

Recent observations indicate that products once celebrated for their affordability on Temu now carry substantial additional charges at checkout. For instance, an item advertised at just over twenty-three dollars ended up costing more than fifty-six dollars after the inclusion of a thirty-two dollar import fee. Notices on the checkout page confirm that these fees cover customs-related costs, including import fees paid to authorities on behalf of the customer. However, the amount charged to consumers may not match the actual fee submitted to customs.

These added charges are a direct result of tariffs that were recently imposed. They were intended to increase the cost of imported goods in hopes of encouraging domestic production, but the practical effect has been higher prices for American shoppers. This pattern reflects a long-established economic principle. When tariffs are introduced, businesses often pass the increased cost down the chain rather than absorbing it themselves.

NBC News found that items manufactured in China but shipped from domestic U.S. warehouses generally avoid these fees and are now labeled as “local” on Temu’s platform. These products often appear at the top of search results for U.S. customers. For example, a blender manufactured and shipped from within the United States was listed at over thirty-four dollars without an import charge. In contrast, a similar blender produced in China and shipped internationally carried a much lower sticker price but required an additional eight-dollar import fee, effectively negating the bargain.

This situation serves as a reminder that tariffs are rarely invisible to the public. While designed to affect trade relations between countries, the ultimate burden often falls on ordinary consumers, who experience the consequences every time they check out.