Good news for ASOS - New US shipping rules target China's Shein and Temu15 Sep 2024 14:27
Https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c36n6g164l6o
The US has proposed rules that would hit many low-value shipments from China with new taxes - a measure aimed at curbing the flood of packages from shopping sites such as Shein and Temu.
The Biden administration said the plan was intended to stop "abuse" of an exemption that allowed packages worth less than $800 (£600) to enter the US without facing tariffs and other fees.
The US said the "de minimis" rule has helped firms such as Shein and Temu, which typically ship directly from the manufacturer to the customer, undercut competitors with lower prices.
In statements, the two companies defended their business models.
The US raised the exemption from tariffs and other fees for shipments from $200 to $800 in 2016 to facilitate trade and allow officials to focus on higher priority shipments.
But lawmakers have voiced increasing alarm about "exploitation" by firms such as Temu and Shein, as the two make rapid inroads in the US market.
The new rules would remove the exemption for Chinese goods that currently face tariffs from the US - a wide range of products including shoes, machinery and 70% of textiles and apparel.
They would also increase what information shippers must provide to authorities.