Temu makes major change to pricing for South African shoppers
· The South African
South African Temu shoppers may have already noticed something different, even if they couldn’t immediately put their finger on it.
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Orders are arriving as usual, but one step in the process has quietly disappeared. No follow-up messages. No extra payments after checkout. Just a smoother experience.
Behind the scenes, Temu has rolled out a significant change that affects how customers pay for their orders.
What’s changed at Temu
Temu now includes VAT and import duties directly in the price at checkout for South African users, Mybroadband reports.
This means the total you see before placing your order is the final amount you pay, with no additional customs charges later.
Previously, customers often had to wait for a payment request from a courier after their parcel was shipped. While Temu tried to streamline this with prepayment systems, it still created confusion and extra steps.
By moving everything upfront, Temu is simplifying the process and bringing it closer to how major global platforms operate.
It also removes a common risk point. Payment links sent after shipping have long been a target for scammers, making this change not just more convenient, but potentially safer too.
There’s also a less obvious advantage.
Under the new system, customers who return items can now be refunded the full amount they paid, including VAT and duties. Previously, those extra costs were often lost.
What to expect in terms of pricing
Temu now clearly shows at checkout when VAT and duties are included, whether items are imported or shipped locally.
Shipping still varies:
- Imported items generally come with free delivery
- Local warehouse orders may include a delivery fee
For many South Africans, the biggest frustration with international shopping has been unexpected costs after checkout.
While prices may look higher at first glance, the trade-off, it seems, is a more predictable, secure and straightforward shopping experience.
Do you think this change will make a big difference to your shopping experience on Temu? Let us know in the comments below.