Shein and Temu, popular ultracheap e-commerce sites, have raised their prices in response to Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports. The price increases, which took effect on April 25th, were announced earlier this month, and shoppers are already feeling the impact.

The tariffs, which have been imposed on a wide range of consumer goods, including electronics, automobiles, clothing, and footwear, have hit the e-commerce industry particularly hard. Shein and Temu, which rely heavily on Chinese imports, have been forced to pass on the increased costs to their customers. A spot-check of prices on Shein shows modest increases across categories, with some items doubling in price. For example, a pair of kid's fleece pants that were $8.29 on April 17th are now $10.19, while a women's plus-size dress that was $22.39 is now $27.51.

According to data provided to The Verge by Bright Data, price increases on Shein until early March were for the most part modest compared to late 2024 prices, and many products hadn't changed in price in that timeframe. However, as prices begin to rise, many shoppers are taking to social media to express their frustration and confusion. On the Shein subreddit, users are reporting significant price jumps and questioning whether they will continue to shop on the site.

A notice on the Shein site indicates that tariffs are baked into the price displayed to consumers. "Tariffs are included in the price you pay," a pop-up reads. "You'll never have to pay extra at delivery." However, it's unclear if this round of price increases accounts for the additional taxes that will be placed on low-value packages beginning in May. Shein did not immediately respond to The Verge's questions on the matter.

AliExpress, another popular e-commerce site, is also displaying the cost of tariffs more prominently. The site sells everything from clothes and accessories to tech gadgets and components in bulk, and some listings now show "import charges and other taxes" below the price of an item. The tariffs will affect not only consumers but also small businesses that import components that are then assembled into full products domestically. Some shoppers report that supplies they use for their small business have become unavailable for purchase on AliExpress.

Small businesses have been some of the most vocal opponents of Trump's tariffs, with a group of tabletop game companies suing the Trump administration over the tariffs, calling them "unlawful and unconstitutional." For years, Trump has falsely claimed that exporting countries pay tariffs, while economists and businesses have regularly warned that the cost of import duties eventually gets passed onto consumers.

The impact of the tariffs on the e-commerce industry is likely to be significant, with many consumers and small businesses already feeling the pinch. As the tariffs continue to take effect, it remains to be seen how the industry will adapt and how consumers will respond to the increased costs.

In the meantime, shoppers are advised to carefully review prices and tariffs before making a purchase, and to explore alternative options for affordable goods. As the situation continues to evolve, The Verge will provide updates and analysis on the impact of Trump's tariffs on the e-commerce industry.