There’s no getting around Temu. The crazy low prices, the endless ads, and all those orders flooding your Facebook feed prove it. But what about for New Zealand buyers? Well, here’s my straightforward take, with no bull and no affiliate links.
Quick Verdict
Overall: 3/5 — Good for the right things, frustrating for the wrong ones
| ✅ Best for | Cheap household items, storage, garden gear, phone accessories, stationery |
| ❌ Avoid for | Clothing (sizing is a disaster), electronics, anything safety-related |
| 📦 Shipping | 2–4 weeks standard; 1–2 weeks express |
| 💰 Prices | Genuinely cheap — but you get what you pay for |
What Is Temu?
Temu is a new e-commerce platform operated by PDD Holdings – the Chinese company that owns Pinduoduo. It began operations in New Zealand back in March 2023 and has already expanded rapidly – extremely rapidly.
The business model is based on a direct connection between consumers and manufacturers in China. In such a way, a phone holder can be bought for $3, while a pack of storage boxes can be purchased for only $8.
Moreover, the number of transactions made is impressive. Temu sends its products to more than 50 countries, handling millions of orders every day. Essentially, it is an Amazon clone where products are sourced straight from factories, but with some very innovative marketing tactics involved.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Prices are genuinely very low | Shipping takes 2–4 weeks standard |
| Massive range of products | Quality is hit and miss |
| Free standard shipping on most orders | Returns process is slow and awkward |
| NZ consumer law applies | Some products look nothing like the photos |
| 15% GST collected at checkout – no surprise customs bills | App is pushy with notifications and gamified promotions |
| Good refund rate on faulty items | Sizing wildly inconsistent for clothing |
Shipping Times to NZ — Real World
“Temu” promises a shorter timeframe than may be achieved. Here is the truth regarding expected timeframes:
Regular shipping (free on almost all orders): 2–4 weeks. Expect the higher timeframe to be more accurate. A few New Zealanders have claimed that it takes up to 3–5 weeks when located in secondary centers.
Expediting delivery: 1–2 weeks, which costs $12.90, except if you purchase products costing over $129.
What affects your delivery time:
- Where your item ships from (some items come from local warehouses, most from China)
- Time of year — peak periods like Chinese New Year or the lead-up to Christmas cause delays
- Whether multiple items in your order ship together or separately
- Your location — rural NZ adds time
Tracking: Temu has tracking via their mobile application, although it will be quiet for several days while in transit. This is expected; the package is still on the move, only on a part of its route that does not update yet. After exiting NZ customs, tracking will fall back on NZ Post.
Product Quality — What’s Worth Buying
Temu’s quality ranges from surprisingly decent to genuinely terrible. The trick is knowing which category you’re shopping in.
Generally fine:
- Storage and organisation products (boxes, drawer dividers, shelf organisers)
- Basic kitchen tools and utensils
- Garden tools and accessories
- Phone cases and phone accessories
- Stationery and craft supplies
- Novelty items and party supplies
- LED lights and fairy lights
- Pet accessories (non-safety items)
Approach with caution:
- Clothing — sizing bears little resemblance to NZ sizing. Read every review and size up at least once. Even then, it’s a gamble.
- Tools — basic jobs only. Don’t expect durability.
- Toys — check the age ratings carefully and look for safety markings
Avoid:
- Electronics — chargers, cables, and adapters from unknown brands carry real safety risks. Not worth the gamble.
- Car accessories and anything safety-related
- Anything requiring precise sizing (shoes especially)
- Supplements or anything you put in or on your body
Your Rights Under NZ Consumer Law
Here is one thing that most Kiwi shoppers will not know: The Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) covers Temu transactions. Since Temu directly sells to New Zealanders, the products they buy should meet quality standards, be fit for purpose, and correspond to their description.
In practice, this means:
- If a product is faulty or not as described, you’re entitled to a remedy — a refund, replacement, or repair
- “No refunds” policies don’t override the CGA
- Temu does actually process refunds fairly readily through their app — it’s one of the better things about the platform
If Temu won’t play ball:
- Raise a dispute through the Temu app first — screenshot everything
- If that fails, contact your bank about a chargeback through your card provider
- For persistent issues, the Commerce Commission and Consumer Protection NZ are your next ports of call
GST and customs duty:
Temu charges a 15% GST on orders below $1,000 at checkout; hence, you won’t get any surprises upon receiving your package since there won’t be any additional cost. If the order is more than $1,000, then GST will be collected separately by NZ Customs.
Temu vs AliExpress vs Shein
| Temu | AliExpress | Shein | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shipping to NZ | 2–4 weeks | 3–6 weeks | 2–3 weeks |
| Price | Very cheap | Cheap | Cheap |
| Quality | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed |
| Returns | Reasonably easy | Difficult | Reasonably easy |
| Best for | General household items | Specific parts, components | Clothing (if you get sizing right) |
| App experience | Very gamified | More straightforward | Very gamified |
All three are China-based marketplaces with similar trade-offs. Temu is the newest and most aggressively marketed. AliExpress has more niche and specialist products. Shein is clothing-focused.
Is Temu Safe to Use?
Payment security: Yes, the website uses SSL encryption and allows payments through major credit/debit cards, PayPal, and others. In terms of payment security, it is legit.
Privacy issues: Here comes the tricky part. Temu belongs to PDD Holdings, a Chinese company. Like many other applications, Temu gathers a lot of data. There have been several questions internationally regarding the data gathering.
Practical tips for safer shopping:
- Use a credit card rather than a debit card — easier to dispute charges
- Don’t link your main bank account directly
- Turn off unnecessary app permissions (location, contacts)
- Be cautious with the gamified “free gift” promotions that ask for extensive personal details
How to Get the Best Deals
- First order coupons: New accounts almost always get a significant discount on the first order. Worth using on something you actually want.
- Bundle discounts: Prices often drop when you add more items to your cart.
- Flash sales: The app runs frequent sales — prices shift daily.
- Free shipping threshold: Standard shipping is free on most orders, but express kicks in above $129 depending on the promotion.
The Verdict
Temu is a reputable platform and quite handy for purchases where time isn’t an issue. Cable ties, storage bins, a phone holder, additional garden stakes – all good buys. Affordable, delivered, works well.
However, Temu starts to show its shortcomings when precision, reliability, and speed become important factors. Electrical components are risky. Clothing items come at random dimensions. And if you need to order something quickly, your patience will run out waiting for delivery.
Be reasonable, and you won’t go wrong. Expecting lightning-fast deliveries and high-quality garments at rock-bottom prices like those offered by Amazon and Next is a recipe for disappointment.
FAQs
Is Temu legit in NZ?
Yes – Temu is a legitimate business delivering in New Zealand. However, there are massive differences in product quality and the returns process can be quite cumbersome. Review before you purchase.
Will Temu charge me custom duties or GST?
Temu charges 15% GST for orders below $1,000 which is included in your order price at the checkout, so you will not face any hidden costs. Higher orders might require additional NZ Customs fee.
Can I return my items to Temu from NZ?
Yes, but returns to Temu are harder than to local stores. Most refund applications can be done via the Temu app without having to send back your item – especially if it is a small amount. Larger refund claims take more time. Take screenshots of everything.
Why is Temu so cheap?
Temu offers direct access between the buyer and the manufacturer in China, bypassing importers, distributors, and other intermediaries. Lower manufacturing, lower labor cost, and direct pricing are among many reasons why prices are low.
Is Temu the same thing as AliExpress?
Not quite – they’re two different businesses. Temu is run by PDD Holdings, while Alibaba runs AliExpress. They’re both shipped from China for cheap prices, but Temu is more of a handpicked selection that allows you to make one purchase, whereas AliExpress requires separate transactions with each seller.
This review reflects real-world NZ shipping data and customer experiences as of June 2026. Prices and policies may change — always check Temu’s current terms before ordering.