Shein shopper Lorianna Calhoun tells Wired that 40 of the roughly 170 items once on her Shein Wish list appear to be unavailable. She noticed that they had disappeared Thursday afternoon. It’s not clear how Shein and Temu choose what items they want to remove, but Calhoun says that at least in her case, the majority of the items she observed are eyelashes and hair products. I say there is. “Usually, when things sell out, you can click on the item and see all the reviews and things,” she explains. “However, regarding eyelashes, I say, “I’m sorry, this item has been removed. This product does not exist.”
Reddit users who asked to remain anonymous for privacy reasons were able to use screenshots shared with Wired, showing half of the Shane Shopping Cart products, available on Thursday, primarily from items on Shein’s Sheglam Cosmetics line. It’s gone. They say they plan to wait for it and see if the product is back on Shein’s website soon. “Shayne and Tem still get my business. If they raise the price, hopefully it’s just a little bit,” says Reddit user.
Temu and Shein did not respond to requests for comment from Wired.
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Do you work for Shein, Temu, or another e-commerce company and have insight into what’s going on? Or are you a customer who has had a remarkable experience? We look forward to hearing from you. Please contact the reporter via email at zeyi_yang@wired.com or via signal at @zeyiyang.06 using a non-work telephone or computer.
In 2023, China’s exports and US import data show that a third of the minimum shipments arriving in the US came from China. Many came through air freight in just a few days, rather than marine freight, which can take more than a few weeks or a month.
“These companies have perfected this modern miracle, which is shipped from China to the US in a very consistent and reliable way,” said founder of e-commerce intelligence company Marketplace Pulse. says Juzas Kaziknas. The tariffs announced last week not only significantly increased costs for companies like Shein and Temu, but could also delay the delivery process as logistics companies and customs brokers adjust to government requirements.
However, not all of Temu and Shein’s products and services will be affected. Because the two companies have been increasingly storing goods in American warehouses over the past few years, ordering them even faster from customers. The Biden administration has also repeatedly signaled that it was interested in reforming import tax exemptions and motivated businesses to reduce their reliance on it.
As of Friday, Temu’s US homepage was almost completely filled with products that the company-designated products were shipped from local warehouses. This means they have already cleared US customs and may have crossed the border before the customs duties came into effect.
