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Temu wins over Brazilians with low prices, free shipping and a variety of products; understand how the Chinese platform rivals Shopee and Shein in national e-commerce in 2025.
TEMU is a Chinese e-commerce platform that has been attracting increasing interest in the Brazilian market. Since its official arrival in Brazil on June 6, 2024, the company has attracted the attention of consumers by offering a wide variety of products at extremely low prices, combined with bold marketing strategies and a delivery model with free shipping. Rivaling industry giants such as Shopee, Shein and Amazon, TEMU relies on competitive advantages to gain space among Brazilian consumers.
In this article, you will learn what TEMU is, how it works, what products are available, how to buy, track and return goods, and also analyze whether the company is truly trustworthy. The goal is to provide a complete guide, with in-depth content and optimized for SEO, ideal for those who want to learn more about this new force in international e-commerce.
What is TEMU?
TEMU is an e-commerce platform founded in July 2022 by PDD Holdings Inc., the same parent company as Pinduoduo, another Chinese digital retail giant.
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Although its roots are in China, TEMU maintains headquarters in Boston, USA, and Dublin, Ireland, indicating its global expansion strategy. The company's proposal is clear: to sell products directly from China to end consumers in several countries, eliminating intermediaries and, therefore, significantly reducing costs.
Since the beginning of its operations, TEMU has stood out for its aggressive growth model, based on offering substantial discounts, a wide range of products and simplified logistics. Upon arriving in Brazil in 2024, the company adopted as a differential free delivery throughout the country, using Correios as its main logistics partner.
What does TEMU sell?
Product diversity is one of TEMU’s trademarks. The platform offers thousands of items in categories such as fashion, electronics, home and kitchen, beauty, toys, stationery, furniture, decoration, health and well-being, as well as accessories and household goods. It is a robust marketplace, with a strong presence of Asian suppliers, whose products are shipped directly to the consumer.
To the Brazilians familiar with Shein and Shopee, The browsing and shopping experience at TEMU is similar, but with some particularities. The interface of the app and website is objective, with a functional search system and well-organized categories. In addition, promotions and discount coupons are frequently made available, reinforcing the low price policy.
Does TEMU deliver to Brazil?
Yes, TEMU has been delivering to the entire Brazilian territory since June 2024. The platform operates with free standard shipping, the logistics of which are mainly handled by the Post Office.
The delivery time varies between 5 and 14 business days, but the company reports that more than 70% of deliveries are completed within 15 days. There is also the option of express shipping, with a period of between 4 and 9 working days, subject to an additional payment.
In cases of delay, TEMU offers a R$10 credit as compensation to be used on future purchases. The tracking number is made available to the customer immediately after shipping confirmation, allowing complete tracking of the delivery.
How to buy from TEMU?
Shopping at TEMU is an intuitive process. First, the user needs to access the company's official website or download the app, available free of charge for Android and iOS devices. Then, you must create an account with a valid email address or use a login via social networks.
With the account created, the consumer can explore the products through the search bar or through the listed categories.
After choosing the items, simply add them to the cart, check the minimum purchase amount (R$99 or R$65, depending on the state ICMS), select the payment method and complete the transaction. The process is similar to that of other popular platforms.
Minimum purchase amount required
TEMU has established a minimum purchase price for Brazilian consumers as part of its sustainable logistics policy. The official requirement is R$99, but according to an analysis by Goldman Sachs, this amount could be adjusted to R$65, considering the state ICMS tax of 17%. This measure aims to optimize shipping costs and reduce the excessive use of packaging.
If the amount is not reached, the system displays a message requesting the addition of more products until the minimum limit is reached. This practice, although it may be seen as restrictive, aims to maintain a balance between operational costs and access to low prices.
Accepted payment methods
TEMU offers a wide variety of payment methods, which greatly facilitates the consumer experience. Options include:
- Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Maestro, Diners Club)
- Pix
- Bank slip
- PayPal
- Google Pay
- Apple Pay
- Internal credits from the platform itself
This diversity of methods allows different consumer profiles to make purchases with practicality and security.
Is it possible to cancel an order at TEMU?
Yes. Canceling an order at TEMU is an accessible process. The consumer must access your account on the company's official website, locate the desired order in the “Your orders” tab and click on the “Cancel/Other help” option. After that, you must select the items to be canceled, confirm the action and wait for confirmation of the cancellation.
The refund can be made directly to the payment method used or as credit on the platform, depending on the consumer's preference and the policy in force for the type of purchase made.
How do product returns work?
TEMU allows the return of products in various situations, as long as the item's integrity criteria and the stipulated deadline are met. The consumer must access the “Your orders” section, select the item, click on “Return/Refund” and follow the instructions displayed on the screen.
Items that cannot be returned include:
- Personal care products that have been used, washed or damaged
- Items that have had tags or packaging removed
- Custom products
- Incomplete sets
- Free gifts
Returns are usually made via the Post Office, with a shipping code provided free of charge by the platform.
How do I request a refund at TEMU?
The refund request follows the same flow as the return. After requesting the return in the customer panel, TEMU processes the request and, depending on the situation, the amount may be refunded as internal credit or returned directly to the card or payment method used.
The company usually meets the indicated deadlines, but it is important to monitor the status of the request within the account, in addition to keeping proof of shipping of returned products.
Are purchases at TEMU taxed in Brazil?
Yes. International purchases made at TEMU are subject to Brazilian taxation. Since 2024, a rule has been in effect that applies a 20% import tax on purchases of up to US$50, in addition to the state ICMS charge of 17% on the total purchase value.
In practice, this means that the consumer must consider these charges before finalizing the purchase, since the final price may be considerably higher than the amount advertised on the platform.
How to track a TEMU order?
Tracking is done directly on the platform, in the “Your orders” area. After shipping confirmation, a tracking code is generated and can be used on both the TEMU website and the Correios portal. The consumer can track the shipping status in real time and receive updates via email or notification in the app.
If the estimated delivery time is not met, the company provides a credit of R$10 to the customer as a form of compensation, without the need for a manual request.
Is TEMU reliable?
The reliability of TEMU is still a matter of debate in Brazil. According to data from the Reclame Aqui website, the company's rating is 4,1 out of 10, based on more than 1.000 complaints. The main problems reported are related to unfulfilled promotions, difficulties in exchanges and returns, and extended delivery times.
Despite the low rating, the company responds to most complaints (98,3%), which indicates an effort to provide service. Still, only 22,5% of users said they would do business with TEMU again, according to the survey.
For consumers who are aware and willing to take some risks, TEMU may represent an interesting alternative for international purchases. However, caution is recommended, especially for higher value orders.
TEMU is one of the e-commerce platforms with the fastest international growth in recent years. Its entry into Brazil, marked by low prices, free shipping and attractive promotions have attracted the curiosity of thousands of consumers.
However, like any new platform in the consolidation phase, it still presents significant challenges, especially with regard to reputation and customer service. If the company can correct these flaws and strengthen its operations in the country, it could become a strong competitor in national e-commerce.
Before purchasing, do your research, follow updates and be aware of return rules, delivery times and possible taxes. This way, you can enjoy the best of TEMU with greater security and control over your shopping experience.
