Temu: Which Country’s Service is this Top App in the USA Now Entering Japan? Here’s How to Safely Use It

• This artilce is for reference only as it is merely a translated version of the Japanese article below.
  Temuはどこの国のサービス？米国人気1位アプリが日本進出！安全に利用する方法をご紹介 (Japanese Version)

Quote：Temu Official Homepage

In July 2023, the shopping site “Temu” launched in Japan. The extremely low prices have raised suspicions about the site’s legitimacy.

This article aims to introduce the essential information, appeal, and key safety tips for shopping on Temu, targeting those who are looking to make the most of their purchases on the platform.

Here’s hoping you can enjoy shopping on Temu with peace of mind.

What is Temu?

Temu is an online shopping site operated by China’s PDD Holdings. Under the concept of “shopping like a billionaire,” it offers a wide range of products at surprisingly low prices.

With projected 2023 sales reaching approximately $10 billion (about 1.5 trillion JPY), it’s popular worldwide. In Japan, it has surpassed SHEIN in popularity among younger demographics, topping app download charts.

How to Pronounce and the Meaning of Temu

Temu can be pronounced in various ways like “Temu” or “Teemoo,” and both pronunciations are commonly used in Google searches to find its official website.

In American YouTube ads, it is pronounced “Teemoo.”

The name “Temu” originates from “Team Up, Price Down,” reflecting the company’s philosophy of collaborating to create more benefits and value.

It connects millions of suppliers, manufacturers, brands, and consumers directly, offering high-quality products at affordable prices.

Moreover, inviting friends to shop together on Temu can yield discounts, a feature that has contributed significantly to its rapid user growth in the USA and Australia, thanks to its referral program.

Temu: A Service from Which Country?

Quote：twitter.com/shoptemu

Temu has become a popular shopping app in the USA. It is operated by the Chinese e-commerce giant “PDD Holdings.”

China-based, USA’s Number One Popular Shopping Site

Temu started its operations in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, in September 2022. By July 2023, the smartphone app had been downloaded 40 million times, topping the Apple Store’s shopping site rankings.

Temu has launched services in 48 countries and regions, including Canada, Australia, the UK, and Germany, and is now available in Japan as of July 2023.

Temu’s Entry into Japan!

As of July 2023, Temu has entered the Japanese market. Its homepage is available in Japanese, and prices are displayed in Japanese yen, making it feel like a local e-commerce site.

The layout of product descriptions and reviews is user-friendly, facilitating smooth purchases.

The Appeal of Temu

Let’s explore why Temu has rapidly acquired a large user base.

Extremely Low Prices

Quote：Temu Official Homepage

The appeal of Temu is undoubtedly its low prices. For instance, in the ladies’ jewelry category, most items are priced below 1,000 JPY.

Additionally, Temu offers a “30-day price adjustment policy,” which refunds the difference if the price of an item purchased drops within 30 days.

Reference：Temu Official Homepage “Temu’s Initiatives”

Diverse Product Range and Selection

Temu sells not only fashion and accessories but a wide variety of product categories.

The range includes unusually large items like furniture, rarely found in other international online stores.

Quote：Temu Official Homepage

Free Shipping

Temu often advertises “free shipping on all items.” However, this is contingent on meeting a minimum order amount; only purchases above 2,100 JPY (as of December 2023) qualify for free shipping.

While this might seem slightly deceptive, it’s a fair deal considering that many Japanese e-commerce sites require a minimum purchase of 5,000 JPY or more, especially considering the international shipping involved.

What is the Difference Between Temu and SHEIN?

Quote：SHEIN Official Homepage

Like Temu, SHEIN is a Chinese-origin shopping site. Due to the increasing number of Japanese users, SHEIN Japan Co., Ltd. was established. As of April 2022, the number of Japanese users reached 2 million.

Temu offers a wide variety of products, including apparel and electronics, while SHEIN specializes in apparel. Both platforms offer affordable pricing, though Temu is perceived to be slightly cheaper.

However, SHEIN has discount coupons issued by influencers and YouTubers promoting the platform, offering 15-20% discounts depending on the purchase price. These coupons are always available, making purchases on SHEIN as cost-effective as those on Temu when used.

Temu vs. SHEIN Comparison:

（2023年12月現在）

Is the Temu App Safe? Why is it Considered Suspicious or Risky?

Why is Temu considered a suspicious or dangerous site? An investigation was conducted to find out.

Suspicion Due to Low Prices

Most of Temu’s products are offered at shockingly low prices, with free shipping for purchases over 2,100 JPY. If a shipment is delayed, a refund is also provided.

This leads many to wonder: Could the products be of poor quality? Could it be a scam?

Reasons for Temu’s Low Pricing

1. Direct dealings with merchants eliminate middleman fees.
2. Temu handles all e-commerce operations.
3. Listing fees and deposits are free for sellers.
4. Intense price competition among merchants.
5. Seen as an investment for penetrating the Japanese market.

Temu achieves its low pricing by managing everything from marketing, pricing, shipping, to customer support in-house. Additionally, Temu provides extensive services to its merchants.

Normally, selling on a shopping site involves various fees and deposits. However, Temu covers these costs, including half of the shipping fees for goods sent by merchants to warehouses. This allows merchants to reflect these savings in their product pricing.

Also, Temu conducts weekly auctions where only the lowest priced items among similar products can be sold. High-priced items are subjected to price re-evaluation under strict price controls, enabling such low prices.

Another reason for the low pricing is market development investment. It is said that Temu spends around $30 per order in its aggressive expansion strategy, currently prioritizing customer acquisition over profit, hence operating at a potential loss.

Reference: China’s Budget Cross-Border EC “Temu” Makes Its Debut in Japan with an Aggressive Expansion Strategy | 36Kr Japan | Largest Chinese Tech & Startup Media

Since Temu Just Launched in Japan

Temu recently launched in Japan and with limited information available, many feel uncertain. However, as of November 2023, the number of downloads of the Temu app in Japan has exceeded 4 million, increasing its recognition among the younger generation.

How to Use Temu Safely

Previously, there were rumors on social media about potential risks of personal information theft or computer viruses from the Temu app.

This issue stemmed from May 2023 when “Pinduoduo,” Temu’s Chinese counterpart, was temporarily removed from the Google Play Store due to malware found in a version distributed outside of the Play Store.

Pinduoduo resolved the issue with an update and disbanded the engineering and product management team responsible for the malware.

There are no reports of such incidents with the Temu app download, but for those still concerned, here are two ways to use Temu safely:

Purchase from Temu Japan’s Official Site

You can buy products from Temu without downloading the app, directly from its homepage.

First, visit Temu.com/jp. You can register using an email or phone number, or sign in with Google, LINE, Facebook, or Apple accounts.

Ensure the settings are in “Japanese and Japanese yen” at the top right of the homepage. It offers a shopping experience similar to Amazon or Rakuten Marketplace. This is recommended for those wary of downloading the app or who do not wish to add more apps.

Quote：Temu Official Homepage

Use ‘Revolut Disposable Virtual Card’ for Payments

Quote：REVOLUT TECHNOLOGIES JAPAN

Many feel uneasy about using credit cards on international shopping sites. Therefore, the ‘Revolut Disposable Virtual Card’ is recommended.

The benefits of Revolut’s virtual card include:

1. Comprehensive security measures.
2. Savings on exchange fees.

Revolut’s virtual card is designed for single-use transactions, meaning that the card details are erased after payment is completed. This minimizes the risk of fraud even if the information is leaked. Additionally, the card supports refunds, ensuring it can be used with peace of mind.

When making international purchases online, you inevitably incur currency exchange fees. When billed by the credit card company, the total includes not only the cost of the products and shipping but also a fee for converting yen to US dollars. Here’s how the fee structure works.

Are you aware that exchange fees vary depending on the type of card?

Let’s compare with standard cards.

Typical credit cards charge between 1.83% to 2.6% in fees, while transactions with Revolut during weekdays attract fees ranging from 0% to 0.5%—almost negligible in comparison.

This makes overseas online shopping and even international travel much more economical, so it’s definitely worth checking out.

Revolut offers three types of plans: Standard, Premium, and Metal.

The top-tier Metal plan includes 1% cashback (up to 5,000 JPY), making it worthwhile if you transact 200,000 JPY, covering the monthly fee of 1,980 JPY.

Exclusive Offer: 3 Months Free Premium

Apply for Revolut Premium through this page and enjoy three months free, saving the usual monthly fee of 980 JPY.

This is recommended for those who use international shopping sites or want to manage foreign currencies effortlessly.

By accessing through the button below, you can enjoy Revolut Premium for three months free.

＼ Now Three Months Free at a Monthly Rate of 980 yen! ／

Temu Related Q&A

Where Do Temu’s Products Ship From?

Most of Temu’s products are brought to warehouses in China from Chinese merchants and then shipped to Japan.

Temu does not maintain warehouses in each country it operates in; instead, it consolidates operations in Chinese warehouses to minimize waste and reduce costs.

How Long Does it Take for Temu’s Products to Arrive?

Temu offers only standard shipping, without any express delivery options. Most deliveries typically take between 7 to 15 days. In a recent test, an order placed at noon on December 28th astonishingly arrived on the morning of December 31st!

Tracking information can be checked under “Your Orders and Account” at the top right of the screen, providing detailed records for peace of mind.

Quote：Temu Official Homepage

Can Temu’s Products Be Returned or Refunded?

Products can be returned and refunded if they are sent back within 90 days of purchase. To qualify for a refund, a return request must be submitted within the return period, and the product must be sent back within 14 days. Refunds are issued after the returned item is received and passes a quality inspection.

For more details, please view Temu’s Return and Refund Policy.

Summary

This article introduced the popular shopping site “Temu.” For those who are interested but still feeling a bit apprehensive about using Temu, it is recommended to purchase products directly from the Temu official website and use the “Revolut Disposable Virtual Card” for transactions. Enjoy the incredible savings and the shopping experience on Temu!