Supply chain costs of cross-border e-commerce platforms such as Shopee US Enterprise Edition

The US Secretary of Commerce recently confirmed that a new round of tariffs will be imposed on the EU, China and other trading partners starting August 1, 2025. The specific tariffs for Shopee US Enterprise Edition include:

General commodity tax: 30% (covering consumer goods, electronic products, etc.)

Automobile and parts tax: 25%

Steel and aluminum tax: 50% (applicable worldwide, excluding the UK) 79

This policy of Shopee US Enterprise Edition will have a profound impact on the global trade chain, especially cross-border e-commerce platforms that rely on the supply chain of China, the United States and Europe (such as Shopee, Temu, SHEIN, etc.). The following is an analysis of key impacts and response strategies:

1. The core impact of Shopee US Enterprise Edition on the cross-border e-commerce supply chain

(1) Rising logistics and procurement costs of Shopee US Enterprise Edition

The cost of Chinese goods exported to the United States has surged: the 30% general commodity tax will directly affect the low-priced goods of cross-border e-commerce (such as clothing and household goods), and sellers may be forced to raise prices or find alternative supply chains (such as Vietnam and Mexico) 912.

Increased costs for steel/aluminum-related products (such as home appliances and 3C accessories): The 50% steel and aluminum tax will push up related manufacturing costs and affect the profit margins of high-priced products on the platform7.

(2) Shopee US Enterprise Edition US consumer demand may shrink

US consumers are highly price sensitive to Chinese-made products (such as the core user groups of Temu and SHEIN). If the price of products increases by 10%-20%, it may lead to a decline in order volume11.

Small packages (<US$800) are significantly affected: The United States has abolished the small tax exemption policy in May, and coupled with the new tariffs, some cross-border direct mail models may be unsustainable9.

(3) Pressure to adjust the platform strategy of Shopee US Enterprise Edition

Shopee and other Southeast Asian platforms: Although they focus on the ASEAN market, some Chinese sellers also operate US sites. Rising supply chain costs may squeeze profits, prompting them to accelerate their shift to the European or Latin American markets11.

Temu, SHEIN: Shopee US Enterprise Edition has begun to reduce its reliance on the US market, Temu's European SKUs grew by 30%, and Shopee US Enterprise Edition's European revenue accounted for 40%