The United States has closed the door to the trick that the big Chinese electronic commerce platforms used to sell cheaper. And although the norm comes into force there, most likely the impact can be felt throughout the world, also in Spain.
If you have ever wondered how it is possible for Shein to sell you a shirt for 3 euros or to send a Gadget by 1 euro and a half without shipping or customs expenses, The answer was in a legal lagoon: Minimis exemption. That standard allowed packages of less than $ 800 to enter the United States without paying tariffs. Until now.
Just after the announcement of what everyone already calls the ‘tariff’, President Donald Trump signed An executive order that eliminates that exemption for the products that come from China and Hong Kong. As of May 2, everything that comes from those territories must pay 30% of tariffs or, at least 25 dollars per article (50 from June). And although the measure only applies to the US, it could have effects on logistics, prices and global platform strategy, also in Europe.
Trump is not the only one who wants to make things difficult for the Chinese giant of the Ecommerce. In Spain platforms such as Aliexpress, Temu or Shein are currently common options for consumers and consumers To make some of your purchases. Given this avalanche of products from Asia, Europe wants to get serious. The European Union (EU) is preparing plans to impose customs tariffs on cheap bought products on-line to Retailers from China.
Why should this matter if you buy from Spain?
Because Temu, Shein or Aliexpress work with a global model. They use the same factories, the same distribution routes and the same margins for everyone. What makes its operation more expensive in a market as large as the American can cause price adjustments or slower shipments in other countries. Among them, Spain, where its popularity has not stopped growing.
Besides, Many of these platforms adapt their prices according to business volume and logistics capacity. If Ee. Uu. It ceases to be so profitable, they could rebalance their strategy to compensate in Europe. That is, or they raise prices, or reduce promotions, or both.
The key to the success of these platforms was to be able to send low value packages directly from China, one by one, without paying tariffs or going through intermediate warehouses. That allowed them to offer unbeatable prices. But with this door closing in the US, the equation changes.
Amazon is also affected
Although Amazon is not a Chinese platform, it can also notice the blow. It has thousands of Asian vendors operating under that same direct shipping model. The end of minimis exemption could make products more expensive and reduce margins.
In fact, after the announcement, Amazon suffered a drop in the stock market.
More than a rate: a change of rules
The measure It seeks to protect American companies, avoid counterfeit products and stop drug income by mailaccording to the White House. But the truth is that, in practice, it is a turn in the commercial war with China and could affect the way we consume on-line In the world.
For platforms such as Aliexpress, Temu or Sheinwhich have based their expansion on that cheap import model, The play is a direct blow. Although also for consumers, who had become accustomed to filling the cart for a handful of dollars – or euros.
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