The EU has fined Temu €200 million ($232 million) after regulators found the platform failed to prevent dangerous and illegal products from reaching consumers, including unsafe toys and chargers that did not meet basic safety standards.
Temu entered Europe in 2023 with ultra-cheap products shipped directly from China and quickly grew into one of the region’s largest online marketplaces. Under the EU’s Digital Services Act, major platforms must actively identify and reduce the risk of illegal or unsafe products being sold to consumers.
According to the European Commission, Temu failed to adequately assess and address these risks, making it highly likely that shoppers would encounter non-compliant goods on the platform. The €200 million penalty makes Temu only the second company fined under the Digital Services Act.
Temu called the fine disproportionate and said it has already strengthened its safety and compliance systems. The company has until the end of August to submit an action plan to EU regulators.
The pressure on Temu is also increasing from other directions. A separate EU investigation into illegal products remains ongoing, while a new €3 customs fee on low-value imports will take effect in July, targeting the low-cost shipping model that helped fuel Temu’s rapid growth across Europe.