Temu now includes VAT and import charges at checkout for SA shoppers
Shopping on Temu just changed for South African customers and the update is bringing greater pricing transparency to the platform.
Temu has begun including VAT and import duties in the prices displayed at checkout for South African customers. The change, which mirrors how Amazon.com operates, removes the need for shoppers to pay a separate tax bill after their order has been dispatched from China.
Previously, the logistics company responsible for delivering an order would send customers a link to pay duties shortly after dispatch, facilitating customs clearing.
While Temu had implemented a pre-assessment and prepayment system to streamline this, the process remained suboptimal and created an opportunity for cybercriminals to defraud customers through fraudulent payment links.
According to MyBroadband, the update has been verified across multiple baskets, covering both imported items and Temu Local Warehouse orders. Whether ordering locally or importing, Temu now states that VAT and duties are included where applicable.
Notably, shipping on imported orders remains free, while local orders attract a R75 delivery fee.
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What are shoppers saying about the change?
Frequent Temu customers have already noticed the update. Some reported that item prices had increased by approximately 20%, while others welcomed the removal of post-dispatch payment steps. One shopper noted an additional benefit, pointing out that returns on faulty items now include a full refund covering taxes paid at checkout.
How does this relate to SARS import regulation changes?
The timing of Temu's update is significant given recent moves by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to tighten import regulations. For years, a concession allowed parcels under R500 to be imported with a flat 20% duty and 0% VAT. This created a loophole that gave international sellers a notable advantage over local retailers, particularly in the clothing and textiles sector.
Standard duties for clothing are typically 45% plus 15% VAT, considerably higher than the flat rate some platforms had benefited from. Following backlash from local manufacturers, SARS moved to revoke the concession, though many shoppers continued to be incorrectly billed on import taxes.
Temu confirmed to MyBroadband that it has included VAT and applicable duties in the checkout total for South African import orders since 20 March, stating that the total cost to consumers remains unchanged and that orders now clear customs without delays from unpaid duties.
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