TikTok creators specializing in "haul videos" are stocking up on cheap goods from Chinese retailers like Shein and Temu, anticipating the impact of new tariffs on low-cost items imported from China. The move comes as President Donald Trump's administration prepares to impose sweeping tariffs on goods from China, which could significantly increase the prices of affordable items popular among TikTok's young audience.

The tariffs, announced on April 2nd, are expected to hit goods from China particularly hard, with low-cost packages from China and Hong Kong facing a fee of 30 percent of their value or $25 per postal item starting May 2nd. This could mark the end of the era of ultra-cheap hauls, where creators showcase affordable fashion items, accessories, and other goods purchased from online retailers.

TikTok creator @pwinpudding, known for her haul videos featuring pink, pastel, and cute items, has already started stocking up on her wishlist in anticipation of the tariffs. Another creator, Donna Leah (@donnaleahful), who frequently creates haul videos for her thrifty finds at stores like AliExpress and Shein, expressed frustration with the tariff-related price hikes. "When the prices jump so drastically, it kind of kills the excitement. And honestly, it makes me think twice about buying anything at all," she said.

Donna Leah plans to shift her content focus towards upcycling, repurposing, and thrifting, citing the reality of increasing prices. However, not all creators are deterred by the possibility of rising prices. Clarissa Shah (@doctor.clarissa), a dentist and style influencer, stated that she has no plans to stop her Shein or Temu hauls, as her audience primarily consists of young women who want to look fashionable on a budget.

The tariffs will likely affect not only Shein and Temu but also other popular retailers, as around 97 percent of clothing purchased in the US is imported from Asia, according to data from the American Apparel & Footwear Association. This could drive up the price of clothes from brands like Walmart, Gap, Lululemon, Nike, and many others.

The impact of the tariffs on the fashion industry and consumer behavior remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the days of buying a blouse or pants for a price in the single digits may be coming to an end. As the tariffs take effect, it will be interesting to see how creators adapt their content and how consumers respond to the changing prices of affordable fashion items.