The United States government is considering an investigation into Shein and Temu, two Chinese e-commerce platforms, for allegedly selling “deadly baby and toddler products.”
In an open letter released on Wednesday, Peter Feldman and Douglas Dziak from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) called for a review of how Shein and Temu adhere to US safety regulations. The commissioners cited “recent media reports” indicating that hazardous products for children are readily available on these sites.
Feldman and Dziak expressed concerns about the companies’ use of the “de minimis” rule, which exempts shipments valued at $800 or less from tariffs. Many items on Shein and Temu, ranging from furniture to fast fashion, are priced low and may fall under this exemption.
“As the Commission sets its priorities for the coming year, we expect agency staff to investigate the companies’ safety and compliance measures, their relationships with third-party sellers and consumers, and their import practices,” the commissioners wrote.
In response to the potential investigation, Shein stated that customer safety is its “top priority” and that it is investing heavily in improving its compliance programs. Temu emphasized that it “requires all sellers on our platform to adhere to relevant laws and regulations, including those related to product safety.”
As Shein and Temu gain popularity, particularly in the US, they are facing increasing scrutiny. Issues under examination include their ability to offer extremely low prices, transparency with the public, and the environmental impact of their operations.
Last year, a US congressional commission criticized Shein and Temu in a report, suggesting that they, along with other Chinese companies, might be involved in forced labor, exploiting trade loopholes, compromising product safety, or engaging in intellectual property theft.
