U.S. obsession for China's Temu, Shein sends air cargo prices soaring

Chinese e-retailers' rising popularity with American consumers places strain on limited capacity

20240426N air cargo China-USA

Sky-high prices for China-U.S. air cargo routes are expected to become new norm. © Reuters

JACK STONE TRUITT, Nikkei staff writer

NEW YORK -- Increasing air cargo prices from China to the U.S. are bucking the global trend, as Chinese e-commerce retailers like Shein and Temu that offer fast delivery times spur demand in what is typically a quiet time of year for cargo.

Shein and PDD Holdings' Temu ship goods directly from Chinese factories to U.S. consumers using air cargo, an industry already under pressure due to limited flights. This contrasts with U.S. e-commerce giants like Amazon that ship from domestic warehouses where inventory arrives by ocean shipping.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.