The penultimate week of April seemed to start with some more calm in relation to the Commercial War Between the United States and China. Nothing is further from reality. DHL Express has announced A temporary suspension of all shipments of more than $ 800 to US consumers (whatever the country from which it is sent).
It is the Geopolitical context Perfect for a plan that two of the great Chinese giants of electronic commerce, Shein and Temu, materialize a plan they had before even the entry into force of the tariffs: up the price.
DHL suspend shipments. DHL will suspend all deliveries worth more than $ 800 in the United States from Monday and “until new notice.” According to the company, the change in its deliveries policy responds to much more strict customs controls.
Although the measure arrives in full context of commercial war and tariff changes, the end of the exception of the “minimis” carries Since the beginning of the year, and giants like Shein and Temu prepared to move card.
The “minimis”. MINI What? That DHL has suspended shipments according to this concrete figure is not something arbitrary. For years, trade between China and the United States has benefited from an exception coined to the Latin term “minimis”. This expression refers to all those packages with a value below $ 800.
This type of low -cost parcels could enter the United States free of taxes, a mechanism that platforms such as Temu or Shein have been taking advantage of for years to offer especially low prices on their platforms.
The position of Shein and Temu. The new Trump measurement package ends the minimis, closing the legal back door that both companies used. Both Shein and Temu have sent a statement to their users with a practically identical message: Prices will rise.
“Due to recent changes in global trade standards and rates, our operating expenses have risen. To continue offering the products that you love without compromising quality, we will make a price adjustment as of April 25, 2025.
Until April 25, prices will remain the same, so you can buy today at today’s rates. We have replaced existers and we are ready to ensure that your orders come without problems during this time.
We are doing everything possible to maintain low prices and minimize the impact on you. Our team is working very hard to improve efficiency and stay faithful to our mission: make fashion accessible to all. “
May 2. Both Temu and Shein will raise prices as of April 25, but the key date at the legal level is May 2. This is the day in which the exemption of customs rights (minimis) is eliminated for shipments worth less than $ 800.
If this is added to this that every product imported from China is subject to a tariff of more than 100%, the price increase was simply inevitable.
What can we expect outside the United States. Although Shein and Temu are going to be especially beaten in the United States, we can expect a direct impact (to a lesser extent, yes) worldwide. Global operating costs will cause a generalized increase in logistics costsand it is not ruled out to compensate for this possible reduction in margins and sales in the United States through increases in the rest of markets.
Image | Daniel Torok
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