Warning to South Africans who buy products from Shein and Temu

International regulators have warned that Temu and Shein are selling harmful products, including cosmetics, children’s toys, and household goods.

Temu and Shein have gained significant traction in South Africa, attracting many shoppers by offering cheap products.

A recent survey showed that one in three South African online shoppers have used the platform, and nearly 40% have become active monthly users.

More than three-quarters say they would recommend the platform to friends and family, which bodes well for its growth in South Africa.

Temu’s growth has been so significant that Buffalo International Logistics, which handles Temu and Shein shipments, has reported delays due to the overwhelming volumes last year.

Data from Sensor Tower shows that Temu’s app downloads in South Africa ranged from 72,000 to 551,000 per week in the third quarter of 2024.

During this period, active users nearly doubled from around 788,000 in mid-August to almost 1.8 million by the end of September.

While the rapid rise of these online marketplaces signals their widespread appeal, there are growing concerns about product safety.

Reports from European regulators highlight that Temu and Shein have been selling hazardous products to their clients globally.

These products include carcinogen-containing shoes, lingerie, nail polish, flammable children’s sleepwear, toxic slime, and dangerous toys.

A report released by the European consumer advocacy group BEUC in February 2025 details the alarming results of a 15-month investigation into Temu’s product safety standards.

The study conducted by members in Denmark, Italy, and the UK found severe safety violations in a range of items, including cosmetics, children’s toys, and household goods.

Problems included easily detachable small parts in children’s products, posing a choking hazard, and missing or incorrect ingredient lists in cosmetics.

Dangerous electric heaters, some of which may be illegal in the European Union, were also identified in the online marketplace.

Additionally, the report found that several cheap plastic toys contained hormone-disrupting phthalates at levels up to 240 times the legal limit.

Nine products contained fluorine levels indicating the presence of PFAS, which are banned in Denmark due to their harmful effects on human health.

Five other products exceeded permitted fluorine levels by 10 to 50 times the limit for paper and cardboard in direct contact with food.

Scientists have linked PFAS exposure to increased cancer risks, immune system dysfunction, and other health problems.

Further concerns about Temu and Shein product safety

Concerns over the safety of Temu and Shein products are not limited to Europe. The United States has also highlighted it.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 68,000 sets of children’s sleepwear from Temu last year due to fire hazards.

Malta’s Consumer Council ordered the removal of five types of children’s shoes from Temu and Shein after finding high levels of cadmium, lead, phthalates, and paraffin.

The International Cancer Institute has classified phthalates as carcinogenic, advising that prolonged human exposure should be avoided.

South Korean authorities have also raised red flags. In November 2024, they found seven out of 26 children’s winter clothing products sold on these platforms contained dangerously high toxin levels.

One jacket contained phthalates 622 times over South Korea’s legal limit, while a sweatshirt exceeded the limit by 294 times.

Additionally, two bottles of nail polish contained high levels of dioxane, a chemical linked to liver damage and cancer.

Seoul’s regulators also discovered that Shein’s underwear contained more than three times the allowable level of substances associated with bladder cancer.

Temu response

Despite these alarming findings, Temu, operated by the Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings, has defended its product safety measures.

In response to BusinessTech, a Temu spokesperson emphasised that the company takes product safety very seriously and has strict quality control measures.

The company claims to implement seller vetting, product inspections, continuous monitoring, and rapid responses to complaints.

Temu also collaborates with global testing and certification firms, including TÜV SÜD, TÜV Rheinland Group, SGS, and Bureau Veritas Group, to ensure third-party sellers meet required standards.

The company insists that these measures allow Temu customers to shop with confidence and peace of mind.

However, with mounting evidence of hazardous products being sold through the platform, regulatory bodies worldwide are calling for stricter oversight and accountability.