In recent months, regular shoppers on Temu and AliExpress have been stunned by sudden price jumps. Items that once cost a few dollars are now noticeably more expensive. So, what’s behind this shift? Let’s break it down simply, factually, and honestly.
🛒 Why Prices Increased So Suddenly
The price hike isn’t a glitch or a sale-ending surprise—it’s the result of new global import taxes, logistics costs, and policy changes that directly impact low-cost platforms like Temu and AliExpress.
🇺🇸 What Changed for U.S. Buyers
The U.S. government recently made changes to its import rules. Before, any package under $800 could be imported without duty fees—this was called the “de minimis” rule. Platforms like Temu and AliExpress used it to ship low-cost items directly from China, duty-free.
Now, that rule no longer applies to many China-based shipments. That means:
- Even small, $2 or $3 items now face import taxes
- Sellers must add extra charges at checkout
- Some prices are increased upfront to absorb the tax quietly
This directly affects the base price of almost everything.
🇵🇰 What’s Happening in Pakistan
In countries like Pakistan, new federal rules on digital imports and foreign payment taxes have made shopping from overseas sites more expensive.
Here’s why prices went up:
- A 5% flat tax is now applied to digital purchases from abroad
- Customs duties are being enforced more strictly
- The low-value exemption for small packages has been removed
- Banks now require clearance proof before releasing international parcels
As a result, many users are seeing unexpected charges or long delays—and sellers are increasing prices to cover those costs.
💰 What Sellers Are Doing
To stay profitable, sellers are using two strategies:
- Raising product prices upfront
- Adding hidden import fees during checkout
Temu often shows a lower price at first but then adds “Import Charges” before you pay. AliExpress sometimes uses a different method—listing higher prices with “tax included” tags.
🧾 Are These Price Increases Permanent?
Most likely, yes—at least for the next few years. Unless import rules change again or platforms shift their operations to local warehouses, prices will remain higher. The cost of compliance, shipping, and taxes has increased globally.
✔️ How You Can Still Save
Here are simple tips to avoid overpaying:
- ✅ Buy from local warehouses when available
- ✅ Look for sellers offering “tax included” or “duty paid” options
- ✅ Split orders into smaller packages to lower per-order fees (where legal)
- ✅ Use cashback payment apps that refund digital taxes
- ✅ Wait for flash deals, when sellers sometimes lower prices temporarily
🧠 Final Thoughts
Temu and AliExpress are still cheaper than most local retailers—but the days of ultra-low, duty-free shopping are fading. With global trade rules tightening and digital tax systems evolving, price hikes were inevitable.
However, by shopping smart and staying informed, you can still get great deals without breaking the bank.