Quick answer: Temu is a Chinese-owned online marketplace selling cheap goods from third-party sellers, mostly shipped from abroad. Temu says most items qualify for a refund within 90 days. Which? points out your contract is with the seller, not the site, and its testing has found problems with some products. Delivery from overseas can be slow, and some reviewers report tracking and refund problems. I couldn't find a 2026 Which? review of Temu's returns and customs, so treat details as indicative.

Last updated: November 2026. Marketplaces change fast. Check Temu's current policy and recent independent reviews before you order.

What Temu is

Temu arrived in the UK in 2023 and quickly became one of the most downloaded shopping apps. It's an online marketplace, a bit like a shopping centre full of third-party stalls, selling everything from phone cases to clothes, kitchen gadgets and garden tools at very low prices. Searches like "temu shop", "temu clothing", "temu website" and "temu online shopping" show how many people are curious. The low prices are possible because many goods are shipped directly from sellers in China, bypassing the usual retail chain.

That model has a cost. You're not dealing with a UK shop that stocks the item and stands behind it. Many sellers sit overseas, and the quality of what you get can vary from fine to dreadful. Think of it as a lottery with better odds for simple, low-risk items like a phone stand, and worse odds for anything electrical or anything a child will put in their mouth.

Safety: what Which? found

Which? has tested products from Temu and others and found problems. In one article, Which? explained that weak consumer protection laws mean marketplaces like Temu aren't held responsible for unsafe products sold by third parties. Temu told a Parliamentary committee that sellers must agree to its Seller Service Agreement and Code of Conduct, and that it reviewed a floor fan flagged by Electrical Safety First as potentially non-compliant. For you, that boils down to common sense. Be careful with electrical items such as chargers, plug adaptors, heaters and fans. A cheap charger that overheats is a fire risk. Be careful with products for babies and children, where safety standards matter. Look for UKCA or CE marks, but remember that a mark on a listing doesn't prove the item is compliant. The Office for Product Safety and Standards and Trading Standards deal with unsafe goods, and you can report dangerous products.

RiskSensible approach
Electrical goodsBuy from a UK retailer with clear safety marking
Children's itemsAvoid; look for tested toys from known sellers
Clothing sizesCheck size charts; expect variation
ContractIt's with the third-party seller, per Which?

Delivery and customs

Sources on delivery are weaker than on safety. Many items ship internationally, so delivery can take longer than a UK retailer, sometimes a week or two, with a German source saying Temu promises 6 to 12 working days. Reports of tracking problems and parcels marked delivered when they weren't turn up in consumer-finance coverage and Trustpilot reviews from July 2026, along with complaints about carriers and slow refunds. Those reviews are anecdotal, and Trustpilot isn't a scientific sample, but the pattern is worth knowing. Customs and import charges can also apply to goods from outside the UK. The rules on low-value consignments have been changing, so check the checkout for any extra charges before you pay, and ask what's included in the price. If an item is held at customs, you may be asked to pay duty or VAT before delivery.

Returns and refunds

Temu's stated policy is that most items are eligible for a refund within 90 days of purchase. Some products can be excluded, and returning additional items from the same order may involve shipping costs. Which? notes that, because third-party sellers are the contracting party, your legal rights are against the seller. Practically, that can make it harder to get a quick resolution if something goes wrong. Use the app's returns process and keep screenshots of the listing, your order and any messages. If you paid by credit card and the item cost between £100 and £30,000, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act can help. For smaller sums, a chargeback through your card provider may be possible if you can show the item wasn't delivered or wasn't as described. For faulty goods, UK law (the Consumer Rights Act 2015) applies where the seller is trading to UK consumers. Enforcement is tougher when the seller is overseas, which is a good reason to limit spending on expensive items.

Protecting yourself

Start small. Order a low-value item first and see how delivery and quality go before you place a big order. Read reviews with photos from real buyers, and watch for fake reviews. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 banned fake reviews and hidden fees in the UK, with the main consumer rules in force from April 2025, so retailers have to be clearer, but enforcement takes time. Use a credit card or PayPal for protection, avoid saving your card details in the app if you can, and use a strong, unique password. Be wary of in-app games and 'spin to win' offers that ask for personal information. Temu is also a favourite theme for phishing messages, such as texts about a failed delivery. Don't click links, and report suspicious texts to 7726.

Frequently asked questions

Is Temu safe?

Aldi - Latest circular - United Kingdom
AldiLatest circular, valid until 11 November 2026

Which? has found problems with some products sold on Temu and says marketplaces aren't held responsible for third-party sellers. Be careful with electrical items and children's products. If you would rather cook at home this week, compare the latest Aldi leaflet, Asda leaflet and Co-op leaflet to see current supermarket specials in United Kingdom.

How long does Temu delivery take?

One German source says Temu promises 6 to 12 working days. Other sources report longer waits and tracking problems.

Can I return Temu items?

Temu says most items qualify for a refund within 90 days, with some exclusions and possible shipping costs. Your contract is with the seller.

Sources