Temu's pricing under fire: Finnish consumers can no longer afford hobbies due to new duties

Finnish consumers are expressing anger and frustration over how the Chinese online retailer Temu is implementing new European Union customs duties. The changes, which took effect in July, now apply duties to all orders from outside the EU, regardless of value, a shift from the previous 150-euro exemption.

Johanna Vasile, an unemployed caregiver from Pori, shared her dismay, stating, "I am furious. Hobbies have been my only comfort in everyday life." She previously purchased items for her hobbies, such as nail art, crocheting, and hair styling, from Temu. However, with the new duties, a 30-euro order now costs nearly 50 euros, making these activities unaffordable.

Vasile understands the new law but objects to Temu's interpretation. The standard customs fee is three euros per batch of goods. However, Temu applies an additional charge for each different product type, even within the same category. For instance, ordering two identical shirts incurs a 3.77 euro "import cost," while two different t-shirts result in 7.54 euros. Vasile believes Temu is intentionally misinterpreting the law to profit from customers.

Aila Jeskanen from Tampere shares similar frustrations. She used Temu for craft supplies, like small-patterned fabrics for dollhouses, which she finds difficult to source elsewhere affordably. Like Vasile, Jeskanen finds the legally mandated fee reasonable but criticizes Temu's application. Both consumers have stopped ordering from Temu, at least temporarily, until the company clarifies its practices. The EU's new regulations aim to curb excessive ordering from cheap online retailers, which has impacted European businesses.