Shein and Temu, two Chinese low-cost e-commerce platforms, are facing a proposed investigation by the U.S. government over allegations of selling “deadly baby and toddler products.”
In an open letter issued Wednesday, two leaders from the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) called for commission staff to assess how these companies comply with U.S. safety standards.
Citing “recent media reports” that suggest dangerous children’s products are easily accessible on the platforms, CPSC commissioners Peter Feldman and Douglas Dziak stated that they aim to “better understand these firms, particularly their focus on low-value direct-to-consumer” shipments.
A primary concern for the Commission is the companies’ reliance on the “de minimis” rule, which exempts shipments valued at $800 or less from tariffs.
Most of the goods sold on Shein and Temu fall into this category, ranging from furniture to fast fashion.
“As the Commission sets its priorities for next year, we expect agency staff to investigate the companies’ safety and compliance controls, relationships with third-party sellers and consumers, and any representations they make when products are imported,” Feldman and Dziak wrote.
In response, Shein told that customer safety is its “top priority,” adding that it is investing millions of dollars to enhance its compliance programs.
Temu also responded, stating that it “requires all sellers on our platform to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including those related to product safety.”
As Shein and Temu grow increasingly popular in the U.S., they are also drawing scrutiny over a range of issues, including how they manage to offer products at such low prices, their transparency with the public, and the environmental impact of their business models.
In a report last year, a U.S. congressional commission raised concerns about Shein, Temu, and other Chinese companies, suggesting potential links to forced labor, exploitation of trade loopholes, product safety risks, and intellectual property theft.
