Which USPS -SUSPension of packages from Hong Kong and China means for Shein and Temu

Hong Kong (AP) Americans probably pay more for products from popular Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Shein and Temu when the US Post Service said it would stop accepting packages from China and Hong Kong.

The move was announced on Tuesday, which came after the United States imposed an additional 10% duty on Chinese goods and ended a customs clearance It allowed packages of small values ​​to enter the US without paying taxes. Canada and Mexico managed to negotiate a month -long postponement from 25% tariffs threatened by US President Donald Trump.

It is likely to affect online shopping destinations such as Shein and Temu, popular among younger shoppers in the US for cheap clothing and other products, usually sent directly from China.

Cheap, Direct Post Service helps these companies keep costs low, just as the “De Minimis” exemption, which previously enabled shipments to go tax -free if their value is below $ 800.

The temporary suspension of USPS is likely to delay shipments and may mean higher prices in the long term.

What exactly announced USPS?

The US Post Service said in a message that it would temporarily stop accepting incoming packages from Posts China and Hong Kong so far.

Letter and apartments – Mail measuring up to 15 inches (38 centimeters) long or 3/4 inches (1.9 centimeters) thick – is not affected.

Why did it happen?

The USPS did not disclose a reason in a short message, but the suspension came after Trump closed the “De Minimis” shopping exemption this week, which allowed customers and importers to avoid tasks on packages worth less than $ 800.

The exception was removed as part of a executive order to charge a 10% duty on Chinese goods.

US customs and border protection previously said it treats an average of over four million “de minimis” imports each week.

What is the effect and who is most affected?

Both consumers and businesses will no longer be able to send packages to the United States from Hong Kong or China.

This step is likely to affect Chinese e-commerce companies like Shein and Temu, although Shein is likely to be more influenced, according to Jacob Cooke, CEO of E-Commerce Marketing Agency WPIC Marketing + Technologies.

Both companies have significant market share in the US

“Compared to TEMU, Shein is more dependent on USPS for direct for consumer shipping from China, and without this channel it will have to rely more on private airlines,” Cooke said.

“It will increase logistics costs, which together with the recent scrap of the minimis exemption for most products from China, could hollow out its price advantage.”

Cooke said TEMU operates on a half -confidence model and often sends bulk orders to the United States before meeting orders domestic.

“The Temus model for purchasing cheap goods should also enable the platform to absorb higher logistics costs and remain price competitive,” he said.

Shein and Temu did not comment immediately.

Spokesman for Chinese Foreign Ministry Lin Jian said China would take “necessary measures” to protect his businesses and urged the United States to “stop politicization of economic and trade issues and use them as a tool and to stop unreasonably suppressing Chinese businesses. “

What are possible ways for businesses to work around the problem?

It is unclear how long the USPS pill will last, but the efforts to crack down on the minimis exemem ion seem like a long-term shift in politics, Cooke said.

“Shein and Temu simply have to rely more on private carriers as a solution to USPS pension,” he said.

In the long term, Shein was able to speed up its warehouse expansion in the United States, while Temu can double on its half -confidence model. By sending bulk to the United States and meeting orders domestic, logistics costs can be reduced, Cooke said.

“Shipping in bulk to the United States and fulfilling domestic can reduce logistics costs, but for Shein this is a long -term disruption of their business model that has been dependent on developing new SKUs quickly and sending them directly to consumers,” Cooke said.