BRIEF: Shein hikes U.S. prices as much as 377%

Fast-fashion giant Shein has sharply increased its prices in the U.S., with the cost for some items surging by as much as 377%, ahead of new tariffs on small parcels, highlighting the impact of the trade war on American consumers.

According toBloomberg, starting last Friday, Shein raised the average prices of its top 100 beauty and health products by 51%, while home, kitchenware, and toy categories rose an average of 30%. Women’s clothing, one of Shein’s best-selling categories, rose 8% on average. Notably, the price of a 10-piece set of kitchen towels jumped from $1.28 to $6.10 overnight, marking a 377% hike.

In early April the U.S. government announced a 145% tariff on all Chinese goods, and that it would end the “de minimis” tax exemption for small parcels entering the country from Mainland China and Hong Kong starting May 2. In addition, a $100 processing fee per postal item will be introduced. Reports indicate Shein has encouraged its suppliers to relocate production to Vietnam, while rival Temu is promoting a “half-custody” model to bulk ship goods directly to U.S. warehouses.

Previously, Shein and Temu warnedcustomers that due to “recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs,” their operating costs had risen and they would adjust prices from April 25 to maintain product quality.

By Lee Shih Ta

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