The items on Temu are exceptionally cheap. Temu says it keeps its products affordable by connecting customers directly to suppliers, while Temu handles the shipping of items to customers. So, Temu does not own the products listed on its website and acts as a liaison between shoppers and sellers.As mentioned above, Temu's parent company, PDD Holdings, owns another e-commerce platform called Pinduoduo that operates in China. Pinduoduo raked in over $18 billion in revenue in 2022. Also: The best headphones for music: Expert reviewedHowever, the U.S. House Select Committee asserts that Temu can make its products so cheaply for U.S. consumers because the company operates under the de minimis loophole, which allows imports valued under $800 to come into the U.S. without paying duties, taxes, and fees, and undergoing rigorous inspection. The Committe report says Temu can make its products cheaper by using the de minimis provision to evade import duties, tariffs, and U.S. Customs inspections.