Cross-border sellers on Temu might soon face a significant policy change as the platform prepares to abandon its once-lauded "zero storage fee" model. Recent leaks suggest Temu could impose charges for goods exceeding designated warehouse stay periods—a move that would mark the end of an era for sellers accustomed to free storage.
The Fine Print: New Fees and Consequences
According to a leaked Paid Collection Service Agreement , Temu has drafted terms for a "one-stop warehousing service fee." A separate Comprehensive Warehousing Service Agreement reveals stricter specifics: Products remaining in Temu warehouses beyond allotted timeframes will incur a daily 500 yuan (approximately $70) overdue fee. After seven days of non-compliance, Temu reserves the right to dispose of merchandise unilaterally, retaining proceeds while still holding sellers liable for associated costs.
Seller Concerns and Operational Realities
The potential policy shift has sparked unease among merchants who previously benefited from Temu’s all-inclusive logistics model. Under current terms, sellers simply ship products to domestic warehouses at their own expense, while Temu handles storage, international shipping, and final pricing—a structure that allowed lean operations with predictable margins.
This isn’t Temu’s first operational pivot. The platform began scaling back subsidies last year, notably reducing its coverage of Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) shipping costs. Industry analysts attribute these changes to ballooning operational expenses as Temu’s seller base expands exponentially.
Industry Context and Adaptation Challenges
While storage fees are standard practice among competitors like Amazon—which calculates long-term fees per cubic meter—Temu’s traditionally fee-free approach made it an attractive alternative. The transition may prove particularly disruptive for smaller sellers lacking sophisticated inventory management systems.
Notably, Temu hasn’t formally announced these changes. Some merchants report no backend notifications about storage fees, leaving the community in limbo awaiting official confirmation.
Strategic Implications for Sellers
Should the policy take effect, sellers must recalibrate operations to mitigate new cost pressures. Key adaptations may include:
- Tightening inventory turnover cycles
- Implementing just-in-time restocking protocols
- Diversifying fulfillment channels
The move reflects broader maturation in cross-border e-commerce, where platforms increasingly prioritize operational efficiency over growth-at-all-costs strategies. For Temu’s seller ecosystem, this evolution may ultimately drive healthier margins through disciplined supply chain management—though the adjustment period could prove challenging for unprepared merchants.