Temu and Shein "turn their backs" on the US - The removal of the "de minimis" exemption significantly reduces Chinese shipments
After the removal of the tax exemption for low-value packages, air shipments from China to the US dropped significantly. Platforms like Temu and Shein are shifting their focus to European and Asian markets to avoid high tariffs.
The volume of air shipments between Asia and the US is experiencing a sharp decline, following the removal of the tax exemption in early May for low-value goods from China.
International Air Transport Association (IATA) data shows that demand for air freight from Asia to North America fell by 10.7% in May compared to the same period last year. This reflects “the dampening effect of new US trade policies,” the document said.
Shipments valued under $800, mainly from low-cost e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu, were previously included in the "de minimis" tax exemption. However, as of May 2, these shipments from China and Hong Kong were initially taxed at up to 145%, only to have this rate reduced to 30% following a trade agreement between the US and China.
Experts say that the volume of low-cost shipments to the US in May fell sharply, down 43% compared to April, according to the latest estimates. However, shipments to other markets, such as Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, have increased. According to industry experts, it is uncertain whether these dramatic declines will continue, as businesses had anticipated the removal of the de minimis exemption and the tariff was reduced in the middle of the month.
Analysts also report that e-commerce platforms are shifting shipments to alternative markets, with significant growth in exports to the European Union and the Asia-Pacific region.
Last year, such shipments accounted for 55% of the total goods moving from China to the US by air, compared to just 5% in 2018.
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