A sweeping executive order from the Trump administration triggered the end of the "de minimis" tariff exemption for low-value imports from China, a loophole that had previously allowed platforms to flood the U.S. market with duty-free goods. As of May 2025, all packages from China-regardless of value-are subject to steep import fees, with tariffs reportedly reaching up to 145%. This policy shift forced a dramatic overhaul in how cross-border e-commerce operates, especially for platforms that relied heavily on the de minimis rule to keep prices ultra-low for American consumers123.

Listings on the U.S. version of the platform now exclusively feature products stocked in American warehouses and sourced from local vendors, a rapid pivot that took effect just before the new tariffs hit123. Shoppers browsing the site or app are greeted only with “Local” inventory, while all options for direct-from-China shipping have vanished overnight42. This overhaul is not just a tweak-it’s a wholesale abandonment of the cheap Chinese import model that fueled the platform’s meteoric rise in the U.S. market5.

The abrupt removal of direct-from-China products has significantly limited options for American consumers who had grown accustomed to Temu's vast selection of ultra-cheap merchandise. U.S. shoppers now face a dramatically reduced product catalog, with access restricted to only items warehoused domestically12. This change represents a fundamental shift in the shopping experience that had made Temu wildly popular among bargain hunters.

The timing of this change-coinciding precisely with the implementation of new tariff policies-demonstrates how quickly international trade disputes can impact everyday consumers' shopping options34. While Temu attempts to maintain its presence in the American market through locally-sourced inventory, the platform's appeal was largely built on its ability to offer direct access to Chinese manufacturers at rock-bottom prices-an advantage now effectively eliminated by the new trade regulations.

In public statements, company representatives framed the abrupt halt to China-to-U.S. shipments as part of “ongoing adjustments to improve service levels,” emphasizing a desire to help local merchants reach more customers. However, the timing-coinciding precisely with the end of the de minimis exemption and a surge in tariffs-makes it clear the primary motivation was economic survival in the face of new trade barriers12. The official messaging focuses on customer experience and supporting domestic sellers, but the underlying reality is a forced pivot away from the cross-border bargain model that had defined the platform’s U.S. presence2.