Trump Increases Tariffs on Chinese Small Parcels by 60% Aiming at Shein and Temu
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has endorsed an executive directive that boosts tariffs on low-value shipments from China from 30% to 90%. This decision is expected to disrupt the flow of popular budget items.
The new order, set to take effect on May 2, increases the duty on “low-value imports” from China, alongside a substantial surge in tariffs on other Chinese products—from 34% to 84%—as detailed in a White House release issued Tuesday.
Last week, Trump also signed an order revoking the duty-free threshold for goods imported from China with values of $800 or less. The change came under intense scrutiny as officials highlighted the role of emerging Chinese online retailers, Shein and Temu, in driving a significant increase in shipments previously benefiting from the exemption.
Initially, products imported under the exemption were subject to a rate of either 30 percent of their value or a fixed fee of $25 per item, which was to rise to $50 per item after June 1. However, the new measure will elevate the rate to 90 percent, increasing the per item fee to $75 starting May 2, and further to $150 after June 1.
In February, a similar attempt to cancel the customs exemption was reversed following significant logistical disruptions, which prompted strong criticism from China. Chinese officials accused the United States of politicizing trade and economic matters.
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Trump Increases Tariffs on Chinese Small Parcels by 60% Aiming at Shein and Temu