The golden age of cross-border e-commerce is fading, with refined operations and compliance management now emerging as the keys to survival for sellers. Recent logistics policy adjustments by Temu for its semi-hosted self-fulfillment business, coupled with upcoming USPS regulations for ground transportation services, present new challenges that sellers must address to remain competitive.
Temu's Logistics Policy Shift: The Inevitable Move Toward Operational Refinement
Temu's announcement restricting certain logistics providers and promoting platform shipping labels effective September 1 reflects a strategic effort to enhance logistics efficiency and user experience. The changes include:
- Restricted logistics providers: Seven carriers—including GOFO, PiggyShip, and YunExpress—will no longer be permitted for semi-hosted self-fulfillment in the U.S. market, aiming to standardize service quality.
- Elimination of manual waybill imports: Starting August 20, sellers can no longer manually import tracking information from select providers like Qtrack and GPS, increasing reliance on Temu's logistics solutions.
- Mandatory platform shipping labels: Sellers must now predominantly use Temu-generated labels to improve logistics transparency and tracking.
Impact Assessment
The policy changes will affect sellers differently:
- Sellers relying on low-cost, non-compliant logistics: These operators face significantly higher costs and reduced profit margins as they transition to platform-approved solutions, with some potentially facing compliance risks.
- Sellers already using standardized labels: Those with established compliant logistics networks will experience minimal disruption.
Strategic Responses: Embracing Compliance and Supply Chain Optimization
Sellers should implement these measures to adapt:
- Prioritize compliance: Strict adherence to platform rules is essential to avoid penalties ranging from traffic restrictions to account suspension.
- Optimize logistics channels: Partner with Temu-recommended providers and diversify partnerships to mitigate risk.
- Enhance supply chain efficiency: Improve inventory management and order processing speed to reduce costs and boost customer satisfaction.
USPS Regulations: The Compliance Upgrade for Ground Transportation
Separately, new USPS requirements taking effect September 1, 2025, will mandate that all Ground Advantage shipments be prepaid (manifested) before delivery.
Key Details
The USPS defines "manifest" as an electronic document containing critical shipment details (recipient addresses, weights, postage, etc.). Under the new rules:
- All parcels must be manifested before being handed to USPS; unmetered shipments may be rejected or destroyed.
- Sellers can no longer directly deposit packages at post offices without prior electronic processing.
The Critical Role of Manifesting
For USPS, manifests enable efficient resource planning. For sellers, proper manifesting ensures timely scanning and tracking updates. Failure to comply may result in "orphaned" shipments with broken tracking, damaging buyer experience and potentially triggering disputes.
Implementation Strategies
Sellers using USPS Ground Advantage should:
- Verify manifesting processes: Confirm with logistics teams that manifests are generated through authorized platforms like ShipStation or Stamps.com before USPS handoff.
- Schedule manifests proactively: Complete scanning and submissions well before daily cutoffs to avoid processing delays.
Industry Trends: Standardization, Digitization, and Collaboration
The USPS changes reflect a broader global logistics evolution toward standardized, tech-driven coordination. For cross-border sellers, compliance and process optimization are now existential imperatives rather than optional enhancements.
Conclusion: Adapting to Secure the Future
The cross-border e-commerce sector is undergoing profound transformation. Temu's policy updates and USPS regulations exemplify an industry-wide shift toward stricter compliance and operational excellence. Sellers who proactively adapt—prioritizing regulatory adherence and continuous improvement—will be best positioned to thrive in the new competitive landscape.