Trump taxes AliExpress and Temu: what’s the real impact for American customers?

For the past few days, forums and social media have been buzzing: is buying from AliExpress or Temu from the United States about to become much more expensive?

The short answer: yes, but it’s not the end of the world yet. Let me explain it all calmly, with reliable sources and a balanced perspective.

What changed: the end of the “de minimis” rule

Until May 2, 2025, American shoppers enjoyed a huge advantage: the “de minimis” rule, which exempted from customs duties all packages valued under $800. In other words, if you ordered a lawnmower, a dress, or a $15 phone charger, you paid no customs fees. That was the foundation of AliExpress, Temu, and Shein’s success in the United States.

But this rule was suddenly revoked by the Trump administration, as officially announced in a White House press release on April 4, 2025: Source: whitehouse.gov – Fact Sheet, April 2025

The government justifies this decision on economic and security grounds: fighting fraudulent imports, protecting local businesses, and curbing the entry of counterfeit goods.

What this means for you, an AliExpress or Temu customer

Since May 2, 2025, all packages shipped from China or Hong Kong are now subject to customs duties, even if you buy a $5 item.

• Extra fees: a minimum of $25 per product, or 30% of the value of the package, whichever is higher. This base will rise to $50 per item after June 1, 2025.
• Longer delivery times: packages go through reinforced customs inspections.
• Risk of package refusal: some carriers might temporarily suspend shipping if fees are not anticipated.

In other words: you might order a phone case at $2 and have to pay $25 in tax upon arrival.

Why are AliExpress and Temu especially targeted?

AliExpress (Alibaba) and Temu (the PDD group) are Chinese e-commerce giants. They use ultra-efficient logistics strategies to deliver low-cost packages without storing goods in the United States. These platforms fully benefited from the “de minimis” rule.

But their success is causing problems:

• Major U.S. retailers complain about unfair competition.
• Congress accuses these platforms of allowing non-compliant or counterfeit products to slip through.
• The Trump administration even ties this exemption to risks related to the opioid crisis—a very sensitive political issue.

Should you panic? No. Here’s why.

1. It’s not a law, it’s an executive order: This change comes from a presidential decree. It can therefore be overturned, modified, or suspended by a future administration or even by a court decision.
2. A bilateral agreement is possible: Alibaba and PDD Holdings are already in contact with U.S. representatives to find a diplomatic or logistical solution (for example, using transit warehouses in other countries).
3. Hybrid solutions are emerging: AliExpress already has warehouses in the United States and in Europe, which could allow duty-free shipments. Temu might follow the same path.
4. Consumer pressure matters: Millions of Americans shop on these sites. A large public response could force politicians to rethink their approach.

What you can do right now

If you regularly buy from AliExpress or Temu:

1. Wait a bit: the decree is very recent, and the platforms will probably adapt soon.
2. Favor sellers with U.S. warehouses (a filter is available on AliExpress).
3. Group your orders to spread out the fees if you can’t wait.
4. Stay informed: if an agreement is reached, the fees could disappear as quickly as they appeared.

In conclusion: the storm is here, but the skies may clear

Yes, this decision makes buying from AliExpress and Temu more complicated for Americans. But no, it’s not irreversible. Negotiations are underway, and these platforms have too much at stake not to respond quickly.

My advice: stay alert, avoid impulse buys for the moment, and take advantage of good local deals if you find them. But don’t give up on these platforms too quickly. History shows that in e-commerce, everything can change in just a few weeks.