If you’re someone who takes advantage of the rock-bottom prices at Shein, Temu, or AliExpress, get ready, because starting August 15, 2025, shopping on these platforms will become more expensive… and not because of the stores, but because of a new tax just announced by the Mexican government.
What happened? Well, it turns out that Mexico will raise the tax on products imported from countries with which it has no trade agreement, such as China, from 19% to 33.5%. And who comes from there? Exactly: Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and company.
Who does this new tax apply to?
This change only applies if two conditions are met:
- The product comes from countries such as China, South Korea, or Europe.
- The shipment is made through registered parcel services, such as DHL, FedEx, or UPS.
In other words, if you order something from Shein and it is shipped via DHL, you will be charged 33.5% tax, even if it only costs one dollar.
Now, if the shipment is made by other unregistered methods (such as AliExpress Standard Shipping or a slower postal service), you may not be charged as much, at least for now.
What about products from the United States or Canada?
Here, things change. Thanks to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), these countries have different rules:
- If your purchase costs less than $50, you don’t pay tax.
- If it costs between $50 and $117, you pay 17%.
- And if it costs more than $117, the tax is 19%.
So, if you’re going to buy from Amazon USA or any other store there, the situation isn’t as bad as it is with Chinese products.
Why are they doing this?
The Mexican government says that many Chinese platforms were abusing a rule that allowed them to import cheap goods without paying taxes. Basically, they were declaring low prices to avoid tariffs. So, Mexico decided to crack down and raise the tax.
There is also a political context: the United States is going to impose a 30% tariff on Mexican products, and in the midst of all this, Mexico is adjusting its trade policies. As they say, everyone is defending their turf.
How does this affect me as a buyer?
In short: you will pay more if you buy from Chinese platforms and use fast or traceable shipping.
For example, if you ordered a $200 peso dress from Shein and it arrived via FedEx, you could now pay almost $70 pesos more in tax alone. That makes the “big savings” not so big anymore.
And while some stores may change their shipping options to help you pay less, consumers will most likely end up absorbing that extra cost.
What can I do?
If you have something in your cart and need to order it urgently, do so before August 15, because after that date, the new 33.5% tax will come into effect. You can also check:
- The type of shipping (whether it is registered parcel service or not).
- The country of origin of the product.
This can help you avoid unpleasant surprises when it comes time to pay.
In summary: Mexico wants to better regulate online shopping, protect its industry, and collect more taxes. But for us as consumers, that means ordering from Shein or Temu will no longer be as cheap as before. So, keep an eye on the date and the details of your shipment!