Chinese platforms face new shipping restrictions in US
New rules for Chinese platforms like Shein, Temu.
The Biden administration is proposing new rules that could raise the cost of shipping goods from Chinese e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu to the US. The aim is to crack down on the ‘de minimis exception,’ which currently allows products under $800 to be shipped duty-free. Biden has pointed out a surge in shipments using this exception, jumping from 140 million annually a decade ago to over 1 billion, mostly from Chinese platforms.
The new rules would block duty-free shipments of tariffed goods and require e-commerce platforms to provide more detailed information, such as the 10-digit tariff code. Both Shein and Temu have defended their practices, emphasising their commitment to affordable products and compliance with import rules. However, US safety regulators are pushing for investigations into product safety on these platforms.
The proposal follows warnings from the US-China Economic and Security Committee, which argues that platforms like Shein are using loopholes to outcompete US companies. Biden has vowed to explore further actions to protect American workers and strengthen enforcement against illegal imports.
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