E-commerce site Temu, which sells everything from clothes, make-up and toys, has become hugely popular. Aftonbladet has in one examination followed by a return of three items sent back from Stockholm in March 2024, including a children’s game, a six-pack of lip balm and a Nintendo Switch case.
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Shipped long distances
The returned goods were shipped via the shipping company Yun Express through Rotterdam, Malaysia, Guangzhou in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and finally Iraq. Shipping took seven months.
When the goods return to China, there are no guarantees as to what happens to them. According to Temu themselves, it is up to the sellers to decide whether the goods should be resold or not. But in practice, many returns end up on markets in developing countries. Aftonbladet discovered in connection with the review that Temu returns are resold in markets in Baghdad where the goods are often sold for much less than their original value.
Temu is a Chinese e-commerce site that attracts with ultra-cheap prices and free shipping. Photo: Lisa Hallgren/TT
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The returns from Temu involve long transport routes, often by ship, which increases greenhouse gas emissions. This is driving the climate crisis, as shipping and air freight have become some of the biggest contributors to global emissions.
In addition, researchers point out that Temu’s business model, which is based on sending goods directly from the manufacturer in China to consumers in the West, often means that the goods do not undergo the necessary quality checks or the environmental requirements required in the European market.
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