How to Sell on Temu 2025: Complete Seller Guide for US Merchants
📋 Key Takeaways
- Temu now supports US-based sellers with local fulfillment options
- No upfront fees or monthly subscriptions – pay only on successful sales
- Commission rates range from 15-30% depending on category
- Approval takes 1-5 business days with proper documentation
- Access to 80+ million active shoppers looking for deals
- Best for: high-volume sellers, private label products, and trending items
With over 80 million active users hunting for deals, Temu has become one of the fastest-growing e-commerce platforms in the world. If you're a merchant looking to tap into this massive customer base, you might be wondering: can I sell on Temu, and how do I get started?
Great news: Temu expanded its seller program in 2024 to include US-based sellers with local fulfillment capabilities. This means you can now list products on Temu and ship from US warehouses, offering faster delivery times than traditional cross-border shipping.
As an e-commerce consultant who has helped dozens of sellers onboard to various marketplaces, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about becoming a Temu seller in 2025 – from registration requirements to pricing strategy and best practices for success.
Types of Temu Sellers
Temu offers different selling arrangements based on your business model and location:
🇨🇳 Cross-Border Seller
Traditional Temu seller model with products shipped directly from China.
- Products shipped from China warehouses
- Longer shipping times (7-15 days)
- Lower product costs possible
- Temu handles customs/duties
- Best for: manufacturing-connected sellers
🇺🇸 Local Seller (US)
US-based sellers with inventory in domestic warehouses.
- Ship from US warehouses
- Faster delivery (3-7 days)
- Better customer experience
- You handle fulfillment
- Best for: established US businesses
📦 Consignment Seller
Send inventory to Temu's warehouses for fulfillment.
- Temu stores and ships products
- Less control over pricing
- Lower margins
- Hands-off fulfillment
- Best for: manufacturers, bulk sellers
Seller Requirements
Before applying to sell on Temu, make sure you meet these basic requirements:
Business Documentation
Business license or sole proprietor registration
Valid ID
Government-issued identification
Bank Account
Business or personal bank account for payouts
Tax Information
EIN (business) or SSN (sole proprietor)
Inventory Capability
Ability to fulfill orders in 1-3 business days
Product Compliance
Products must meet US safety standards
💡 For Brand Owners
If you're selling branded products (your own brand or authorized reseller), you'll need additional documentation such as trademark certificates, brand authorization letters, or distribution agreements.
Step-by-Step: How to Become a Temu Seller
Follow these steps to register as a Temu seller and start listing your products:
1 Visit Temu Seller Center
Go to seller.temu.com (or your regional seller portal) and click "Start Selling" or "Register Now." This is the official portal for seller registration – don't use the consumer app or website.
2 Choose Your Seller Type
Select your selling arrangement:
- Local Seller: You fulfill orders from your own US warehouse
- Cross-Border: Ship from overseas (typically China)
- Consignment: Send inventory to Temu for fulfillment
For most US-based businesses, "Local Seller" is the best option.
3 Complete Business Information
Fill out your business details:
- Business name and type (LLC, Corporation, Sole Proprietor)
- Business address and contact information
- Tax identification number (EIN or SSN)
- Primary product categories you plan to sell
4 Upload Required Documents
Submit the following documentation:
- Government-issued ID (passport, driver's license)
- Business registration documents or license
- Bank account verification (voided check or bank letter)
- Tax forms (W-9 for US sellers)
Ensure all documents are clear, legible scans or photos.
5 Set Up Your Store
Once approved, configure your seller profile:
- Add your store name and logo
- Write a store description
- Set shipping policies and processing times
- Configure return and refund policies
- Set up payment information for payouts
6 List Your Products
Start adding products to your store:
- Upload high-quality product images (multiple angles)
- Write detailed product titles and descriptions
- Set competitive pricing
- Add variations (size, color, etc.)
- Set inventory quantities
- Choose product categories
7 Go Live and Fulfill Orders
After product review and approval, your listings go live. When orders come in:
- Process orders within 1-2 business days
- Ship with tracking information
- Update order status in Seller Center
- Respond to customer inquiries promptly
Temu Seller Fees and Commissions
Understanding the fee structure is crucial for pricing your products profitably:
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | $0 | Free to sign up |
| Monthly Subscription | $0 | No recurring fees |
| Commission (General) | 15-30% | Varies by category |
| Payment Processing | Included | Part of commission |
| Listing Fees | $0 | No per-listing charges |
Commission Rates by Category
| Category | Commission Rate |
|---|---|
| Electronics & Accessories | 15-20% |
| Clothing & Fashion | 20-25% |
| Home & Garden | 15-20% |
| Beauty & Personal Care | 20-25% |
| Toys & Games | 15-20% |
| Sports & Outdoors | 15-20% |
| Pet Supplies | 15-20% |
| Jewelry & Accessories | 25-30% |
⚠️ Pricing Strategy Alert
Temu's customer base expects extremely low prices. You'll need to factor in the commission (15-30%), your product cost, shipping (if applicable), and still remain competitive. This is challenging for many US sellers with higher overhead. Consider whether Temu is the right fit before committing significant inventory.
Payment and Payout Schedule
Here's how you'll get paid as a Temu seller:
Total time from sale to receiving funds is typically 15-30 days, depending on shipping time and your seller tier.
Best Practices for Temu Sellers
Product Listing Optimization
- High-Quality Images: Use clean, white-background photos with multiple angles. Include lifestyle shots showing the product in use.
- Detailed Titles: Include key attributes (size, color, material) in titles for search visibility.
- Comprehensive Descriptions: List all specifications, dimensions, materials, and care instructions.
- Competitive Pricing: Research similar products on Temu and price accordingly.
- Inventory Management: Keep stock levels accurate to avoid cancellations.
Customer Service Excellence
- Respond to customer messages within 24 hours
- Ship orders within 1-2 business days
- Provide accurate tracking information
- Handle returns professionally and promptly
- Monitor and respond to product reviews
Winning Product Categories
Based on Temu's customer demographics and shopping patterns, these categories tend to perform well:
- Phone Accessories: Cases, chargers, screen protectors
- Home Organization: Storage solutions, organizers
- Kitchen Gadgets: Utensils, small tools, containers
- Fashion Accessories: Jewelry, bags, hair accessories
- Pet Products: Toys, accessories, small supplies
- Craft Supplies: DIY materials, tools, kits
- Seasonal Items: Holiday decorations, party supplies
💡 Pro Tip: Private Label Advantage
Sellers with their own branded products often perform better on Temu than resellers of common items. Private label gives you pricing control and avoids direct competition with identical products from other sellers.
Pros and Cons of Selling on Temu
✓ Pros
- Access to 80+ million active shoppers
- No upfront fees or monthly costs
- Massive traffic – Temu handles marketing
- Growing platform with increasing users
- Simple listing process
- Multiple fulfillment options
- Strong mobile app engagement
✗ Cons
- High commission rates (15-30%)
- Price-sensitive customers expect deals
- Intense competition on pricing
- Limited brand-building opportunities
- Longer payment cycles
- Customer service expectations
- Platform still maturing
Temu vs. Other Marketplaces
| Feature | Temu | Amazon | eBay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commission | 15-30% | 8-15% | 12-15% |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $39.99 | $0-$21.95 |
| Customer Base | 80M+ | 300M+ | 180M+ |
| Price Expectations | Very Low | Medium-High | Variable |
| Best For | Volume, low-cost items | Brand building, premium | Unique, used items |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overpricing: Temu customers expect rock-bottom prices. Research competitors before listing.
- Poor Product Photos: Low-quality images kill sales. Invest in professional photography.
- Slow Shipping: Delayed orders hurt your seller metrics and customer reviews.
- Ignoring Customer Messages: Response time affects your seller rating.
- Inaccurate Inventory: Cancellations due to stockouts damage your account standing.
- Ignoring Platform Updates: Temu frequently updates policies – stay informed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Temu expanded to support US-based sellers with local fulfillment in 2024. US sellers can now register on Temu's Seller Center and fulfill orders from US warehouses, offering faster shipping to American customers.
Temu charges a commission fee of approximately 15-30% depending on the product category. There are no upfront fees or monthly subscription costs. Payment processing fees are included in the commission.
Temu seller account approval typically takes 1-5 business days after submitting all required documentation. Some accounts may be approved within 24 hours if all documents are in order.
Required documents include: valid government-issued ID, business registration/license (if applicable), bank account information for payments, tax identification number (EIN for US businesses or SSN for sole proprietors), and product authorization documents if selling branded items.
Temu pays sellers via bank transfer. Payments are typically processed 15-30 days after order delivery confirmation, depending on your seller tier and performance metrics. Higher-rated sellers may receive faster payouts.
Yes, there are no exclusivity requirements. Many sellers operate on multiple platforms including Temu, Amazon, eBay, and Shopify. Just ensure you can maintain inventory accuracy and fulfill orders on time across all platforms.
Prohibited items include: weapons, drugs, tobacco, alcohol, adult content, counterfeit goods, hazardous materials, live animals, and items that violate intellectual property rights. Review Temu's full prohibited items policy before listing.
Final Verdict: Is Selling on Temu Worth It?
Selling on Temu can be profitable for the right seller, but it's not for everyone. The platform offers access to millions of deal-seeking shoppers with no upfront costs – a compelling proposition. However, the high commission rates and price-sensitive customer base mean margins are tight.
Temu selling works best for:
- Sellers with access to low-cost inventory
- Private label brand owners
- High-volume sellers who can profit on thin margins
- Businesses already selling on multiple platforms
- Sellers of trending, impulse-buy products
Temu may not be ideal for:
- Premium or luxury brands
- Sellers with higher production costs
- Those requiring fast payment cycles
- Businesses focused on brand building
My recommendation: Start small. List a few products, test the waters, and see if the economics work for your business before committing significant inventory. The platform is still evolving, and conditions may improve for sellers over time.