Is Temu Legit? Or a Scam? Review (With 3 Complaints)

Want to know, “Is Temu legit?” We did too, especially after seeing deals that looked way too good. So, we decided to try it for ourselves, and are now here with all the answers.

Here’s what we’ve found:

Temu is 100% legit. It's owned by PDD Holdings, a Nasdaq-listed company behind the massive e-commerce platform Pinduoduo. Temu operates under strict U.S. regulations and has legal offices in Boston. It also accepts trusted payment methods, offering real buyer protection.

We’ve placed over 30 orders from Temu and tested everything (from their refund system to shipping). Here, we’re sharing why it is a legitimate platform and the common problems people face.

Key Takeaways

• Temu is legit and backed by a multi-billion-dollar parent company, PDD Holdings.

• It has real offices in the U.S. and is fully registered and traceable.

• Millions of people shop on Temu every month across the world.

• Payments are safe thanks to verified systems and trusted partners.

• Temu’s app is available on trusted stores with top ratings.

• It’s not perfect, as some items are low-quality and delivery can be slow.

Is Temu legit? (Review) We Ordered Shoes and Other Stuff

Temu is 100% legit. It’s backed by PDD Holdings, a major public company listed on Nasdaq. It’s officially registered in the U.S. and Ireland and has company offices in Boston, Dublin, and Shanghai. In addition to that, Temu processes millions of orders each month and is used by hundreds of millions of people around the world.

We personally tested it by ordering shoes and other items. Here’s why we are sure that Temu is a reliable platform:

Backed by a Major Parent Company

Temu is legit because it’s owned by PDD Holdings, a huge tech company based in China. This same company owns Pinduoduo, one of the largest online shopping platforms in the country. Also, PDD Holdings is listed on the Nasdaq in the U.S. under the ticker symbol PDD and is valued in the hundreds of billions.

That’s a big thing, in our opinion. Why? Well, this kind of backing gives Temu real structure and accountability.

Keep in mind that when a company is publicly listed, it has to follow strict rules. It has to share its financial reports and respond to investors. On top of all, such a company has to follow U.S. law. That’s why we felt more confident buying from Temu in the first place.

PDD Holdings was founded by Colin Huang, and Temu officially launched in July 2022. Their main U.S. office is in Boston, and the address is Suite 355, 31 Saint James Avenue, Boston, MA 02116. In Europe, they’re based in Dublin, while their core team also operates out of Shanghai.

Publicly Registered and Traceable

Temu is not fake. It is legally registered in the United States and in the European Union. In the U.S., it operates as WhaleCo Inc., and in the EU, its legal base is in Dublin, Ireland. These are official records that you can look up.

This is one reason why we say Temu is safe. It follows the basic rules that any trusted company should. It has:

• Business licenses

• Tax IDs

• Real office addresses.

Temu is not some fly-by-night site. It’s a real business with rules to follow. That matters when you’re shopping online, especially when things go wrong.

Global Reach with Tens of Millions of Users

Another reason we think Temu is trustworthy is that hundreds of millions of people use its app every month to order sneakers, sandals, and almost every other thing. It’s available in the U.S., UK, Asia, Canada, Australia, and most of Europe. It’s one of the most visited shopping websites globally, and that kind of scale doesn’t happen if it’s fake.

According to the Business Model Analyst, in Q2 2025, Temu had over 416 million monthly active users and over 70 million daily users. In the U.S. alone, it grew from 23 million users in 2023 to more than 185 million by 2024. Then, The Investing reported that in Q2, 90% of those users were not from the U.S.

We found Temu through a friend who showed us a $5 gadget that actually worked. After seeing it in action, we downloaded the app and placed our first order (low-tops sneakers). They showed up after about ten days, and we were surprised by the quality.

Partnered with Legit Payment Processors

Temu.com is safe because it works with some of the most secure payment systems in the world. Every time we check out, we notice it runs through verified layers of protection. It’s PCI DSS compliant, which basically means it follows strict rules for handling your card info safely. On top of that, it uses extra checks like Verified by Visa and Mastercard ID checks.

We’ve placed more than a dozen orders on Temu now. We’ve used Visa, Apple Pay, and even PayPal. No matter which method we picked, the checkout process felt clean and secure. Here’s the screenshot of Temu’s checkout page we took as a reference:

Temu also works with American Express SafeKey, Discover ProtectBuy, and JCB’s J/Secure system. All of them are designed to stop fraud before it happens. Honestly, it feels more secure than some big-name stores we’ve used. The best part? Temu doesn’t force you to save payment info.

And if you’re wondering what you can pay with? Almost everything. Temu accepts major credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, Cash App, and even buy now, pay later options like Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm.

App Available on Trusted Stores

Temu.com is legitimate because its app is listed on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. And not just listed, but thriving. You don’t get to those platforms unless you pass some tough checks. And Temu has pulled in over 500 million downloads on Google Play.

If you read Temu’s Google Play Store reviews, you will realize that a lot of people love shopping for sneakers from them. Many have also praised the quality of the sandals.

On the App Store, it has a 4.7 rating from over 1.8 million reviews.

We’ve used the Temu app on both Android and iPhone. It runs smoothly and gets frequent updates.

We’ve placed more than 15 orders through the app. It’s quick to search, and we’ve found everything to be trackable.

With millions of reviews and high ratings, it’s clear a lot of other people trust it too. And let’s be honest: if Temu was shady, Apple and Google would have removed it by now.

Widespread Media Coverage

Temu is not a scam because it is backed up by major media. Forbes, Bloomberg, CNN, NBC, and even the New York Times have covered it. If Temu was fake or doing anything shady, those outlets would’ve exposed it by now.

Forbes said Temu was the most downloaded app in the U.S. in 2024. It even beat out Amazon and Shein. That’s huge. They also pointed out how Temu’s prices and free shipping are making life hard for discount stores.

Bloomberg took a deeper look and explained how Temu’s model works. They said the app connects buyers directly with factories, which is why prices stay low. They also mentioned some of the downsides, like long shipping times.

Business Insider also said something interesting. They noted how Temu is winning over older shoppers. And it’s true! People in our families who never shop online are now using Temu for random little buys. That tells us Temu is doing something right.

No major outlet has said Temu is fake. They’ve criticized it fairly, but they’ve all confirmed it’s real.

Consumer Protections and Return Policies

Another thing we like about Temu is that it has a clear return policy. According to it, you can return most items within 90 days of purchase, and for the first return on any order, shipping is free.

We've used this policy more than once, and it works. The first time we returned something, it was a pair of headphones that didn’t sound great. We went into our order history, hit “Return/Refund,” selected the item, and explained the reason. The app walked us through the rest. Within a minute or two, we had a return label and instructions to drop it off at USPS.

After we sent it back, the refund showed up in our account three days later. It wasn’t instant, but it was fast enough.

For your first return from any order, there’s no shipping fee. If you make a second return from the same order, Temu charges a flat $7.99, which they clearly explain in the return process.

Not every item can be returned, though. Things like worn clothing, groceries, and customized items are usually non-returnable. So, if you are shopping for sneakers, beware! We returned the sneakers once and got the refund. But we can’t guarantee that the same will work for you.

Also, electronics may have a shorter return window (depending on the seller). But all of that is clearly stated before you buy.

We’ve even seen cases where Temu offered a refund without needing the item back. That happened with a cracked storage bin we received. We sent a photo, and within a day, the refund was approved.

If you shop smart and keep the original barcodes and packaging, returns are easy. And after dozens of purchases, we’ve always had a way to fix problems if something wasn’t right. That’s a big reason why we trust Temu.

Reviewed and Tested by Independent Watchdogs

Most people call Temu reliable because it’s been tested and reviewed by independent consumer agencies. In Europe, Germany’s Stiftung Warentest rated it “Good” for how it handles data and the overall shopping process. That’s a huge deal. They’re one of the most respected watchdogs in the world.

We’ve followed these reports closely, especially after ordering shoes from Temu so many times ourselves. It was reassuring to see that experts also had a solid experience.

According to Barchart, Temu has also received certifications from TÜV SÜD and SGS. These are companies that check things like:

• Product safety

• Quality standards

• Whether sellers are legit.

In Italy, Temu was named one of the Top 10 E-commerce brands and Top 10 Industry Innovators at the 2025 Ecommerce Italia Awards. Again, that kind of recognition doesn’t happen by chance. It means the platform is growing in serious, respected ways.

That’s not it.

In Germany, Temu’s mobile app even earned a cybersecurity certificate from Dekra. That means it was tested for safety, privacy, and how it handles your data. We’ve never seen sketchy behavior from the app ourselves, but knowing it passed formal tests makes us even more confident.

And Temu isn’t slowing down, according to TechCrunch. In 2024, it was the most downloaded shopping app in the U.S. for iPhones. That kind of growth doesn’t happen if people don’t trust it.

Legal Presence in the West

Temu is not a scam, and one big reason is that it is not just a Chinese app. It has a real presence in the United States and Europe. That’s one of the reasons we trusted it enough to place our first few orders. In the U.S., Temu operates through a company called Whaleco Inc. It’s officially registered in both Delaware and Massachusetts.

We even looked up the office. It’s in Boston’s Back Bay, right at 31 Saint James Avenue. You don’t put your name on a real building in a U.S. city if you’re running something shady.

Here’s a table on Temu’s legal presence in the West:

In Europe, Temu has its base in Dublin. That’s important because it means they follow the strict data privacy laws under GDPR. When we used the app during a trip to Germany, it worked the same way it did back home.

Its parent company, PDD Holdings, is registered in the Cayman Islands, which is normal for global tech companies. But the operational side is in Dublin and Shanghai. That setup lets them serve multiple countries and still meet local rules. And clearly, they’re doing just that.

We’ve ordered from Temu all across the U.S. Orders arrived with the correct taxes and proper tracking.

Official Social Media and Verified Accounts

You can trust Temu because they’re fully out in the open. We’ve followed them for a while now on social media, and they’re not hiding. Here’s what they do:

• Post every day

• Answer questions

• Run giveaways

• Help people publicly.

Check out this table about Temu’s social media presence:

On TikTok, they have millions of followers. Instagram is huge too, with close to ten million. We’ve seen their Facebook page has millions of likes and followers. Same with YouTube and even Pinterest. These are all verified accounts, and people are engaging with them in real time.

We first saw Temu on TikTok through one of those “haul” videos. At first, we thought it was too good to be true. But when we checked the comments, there were real users sharing their orders.

One of our friends had an issue with a damaged item. She commented on one of their posts, and Temu messaged her back the same day. That’s the kind of support we don’t even see from some major brands.

Crystal Clear Shipping Policy

Temu actually explains everything about shipping before you even check out. And we’ve ordered enough times to say they stick to their word most of the time.

Most of our orders arrived within 8 to 14 days. Some came in under a week. A few took a little longer, but we always got tracking info and delivery updates. Here’s the proof that Temu gives you tracking updates (our screenshot):

Temu works with big names like:

• FedEx

• UPS

• USPS

• DHL.

And sometimes they use local carriers for the last part of the trip.

In our experience, processing usually takes a day or two. After that, you get a message saying your order has shipped, and you can follow it right in the app. Everything we’ve ordered, including shoes, came packed and labeled.

If you use a P.O. box, most items will ship fine. But for larger stuff or anything that’s expensive, Temu will ask for a regular street address. That happened with a standing fan we bought. They flagged it during checkout, and we switched to our home address.

They also have warehouses in the U.S. Here’s a picture of the one in California:

We’ve seen orders come from California and New Jersey. That might be why some things arrive quicker than expected.

And when something goes wrong? You can contact support and they’ll fix it.

But here’s the thing: Temu’s shipping is not Amazon-fast. Fortunately, it’s clear, fair, and dependable.

Has an Intellectual Property Policy

Temu is legit, as it has a full system in place to protect trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property. If someone sees their work being copied or used without permission on Temu, they can report it. The platform takes these reports seriously and removes the product if the claim is valid.

We haven’t needed to file a report, but we looked into how the process works. If you own the rights to something or represent the person who does, you can log into Temu’s report center and file a complaint. You need to do three things:

• Explain what was copied

• Show proof that you own the rights

• Give links to the products that are causing the problem.

Once the report is reviewed and verified, Temu removes the listing. They also take steps if someone keeps uploading copied content after being warned. Sellers who do this again and again can have their accounts closed.

Temu also follows U.S. copyright rules. If you think your copyright was used without permission, you can submit a takedown notice under the DMCA. And if a seller thinks they were wrongly reported, they can send in a response to fix it. Amazing, right?

It’s Easy to Contact Temu

We’ve reached out to Temu customer service more than a few times. Every time, we got help without a long wait. You can chat with Temu’s representatives directly through the app or call their support number. They also list real office addresses, which gives you even more trust that the company is real.

Here areTemu’s official contact details:

Note that Temu’s live chat is available all the time. When we wanted to know whether we could find Nike Air Max shoes at Temu, we got a reply in under two minutes. Here’s what we and Temu discussed (screenshot):

For us, one of the biggest reasons we trust Temu is that they don’t disappear when things go wrong. Whether we use chat, email, or call, someone’s there to fix it.

Offers Affiliate and Referral Programs with Payouts

Here’s the deal: Temu has an affiliate and referral system that actually pays. We know people who have earned from it, and we’ve seen it promoted by real influencers with screenshots of their payouts. You can earn by referring users or promoting products, and the numbers are pretty generous.

Here are some known names who have promoted or been affiliated with Temu:

Important Point: The program offers up to 20 percent commission on qualifying orders. That’s higher than what most big-name retailers offer.

There are also bonuses when someone downloads the app through your link. That means you earn from getting people to sign up and use the app.

More than 300,000 people have joined the program so far, according to Temu’s updates. If you’re someone who runs a blog or has a following, this could be a side income stream.

Not Blacklisted by Google or App Security Firms

Another reason Temu is safe and secure to use is that it hasn’t been flagged or blacklisted by any major security service. That includes Google, Apple, antivirus tools, firewalls, or browser protection systems. We’ve installed it on Android and iOS without warnings or alerts.

Temu’s website also loads over HTTPS, which means your connection is secure when you browse or shop. We always pay attention to this, especially when entering payment info or logging in.

Here’s the snapshot of the site’s HTTPS icon:

Strong Platform Infrastructure

Did you know Temu works well because the platform itself is built on solid tech? The app runs fast and handles large amounts of traffic without glitches. We’ve never had login issues, app bugs, or broken pages.

The cart, order history, support chat, and shipping updates are all easy to access. Even during flash sales, we could browse and check out without delay.

Real Customer Reviews and Photos

Millions of people love Temu, and the proof is that the review platforms are full of praise. Even on the official site, you can see that each product listing shows reviews, ratings, and pictures. We also left a 5-star review because we loved the high-top sneakers we got from Temu.

The top Temu reviews by verified customers are:

We use the reviews to avoid bad products. If something has poor feedback or too many complaints, we skip it. When an item has lots of good reviews and photos, that’s usually a safe pick. This has worked for us on shoes, home goods, gadgets, and more.

This is one of the reasons we trust Temu. You’re not shopping blind. You can see what real people got, how they rated it, and whether it’s worth buying.

Transparent Product Pages with a Wide Range of Products

Temu offers a huge variety of products across nearly every category you can think of. You can find clothing for men, women, and kids, as well as shoes, bags, and accessories. There are home and kitchen items (from cookware to cleaning tools).

Temu is now our go-to platform to get sneakers and sandals.

Temu’s product pages are simple to understand and full of helpful details. Every listing shows:

• The price

• Size options

• Product features

• Reviews

• Shipping times.

Before we buy anything, we check all this carefully. And after dozens of orders, we’ve learned the more detailed the page, the safer the buy.

You can also find customer questions and answers on most listings. That’s been helpful for us more than once. People ask things like “Does this run small?” or “Is the material stretchy?” and real users reply. It’s saved us from ordering the wrong shoe size.

Cooperates with Governments

Experts call Temu legit, as it works with legal and government authorities when needed. Right now, Temu is under oversight by the EU’s Digital Services Act. That means they have to follow specific rules about data, user protection, and illegal content.

Temu’s parent company, PDD Holdings, has also made public statements confirming their cooperation with regulatory efforts. This helps them stay active in regions like the U.S. and the EU, where companies need to meet strict consumer standards.

Temu is involved in giving back, and we’ve seen proof of that through their tree-planting program. Since July 2023, they’ve partnered with Trees for the Future to support reforestation projects in sub-Saharan Africa. Every time you check out, there’s an option to donate a small amount—usually about 35 cents—to fund a tree.

What Are the Issues with Temu? (Complaints)

Temu is a real shopping platform, but it’s not perfect. Some users report low-quality products, slow deliveries, and poor support. There are also scammers pretending to be Temu online. If you shop there, you should know these issues before you order.

We took the screenshots of the most common complaints about Temu:

The official app itself is safe to use, but there are a few things to watch out for.

Product Quality and Counterfeit Risks

According to Temu reviews, some products may be low-quality, unbranded, or even fake. These are not isolated complaints. We’ve also seen reports that certain toys and skincare products sold on Temu didn’t meet safety standards in Europe. That’s a big deal, especially for items meant for kids or your skin.

The platform does let buyers leave reviews and photos, which helps. But if a product doesn’t have enough feedback, it’s hard to tell what you’ll actually get. That’s why we always stick to listings with lots of reviews and user-uploaded pictures.

Inconsistent Service and Delivery Issues

Temu has had problems with inconsistent shipping, wrong orders, and support delays. Some users love it, while others feel frustrated. It depends a lot on what you order and when.

We’ve had orders arrive in five days. We’ve also had ones that took almost a month. There have been times when the item description didn’t match what showed up. Like ordering a size L and getting a small. Or expecting a Bluetooth device that turns out to be manual.

Temu’s customer service usually answers within a day, but not always. One time we had to message them three times about a missing product. Eventually, we got the refund. But it took effort. The live chat is helpful, but it can be slow when they’re busy.

Temu’s rating with the Better Business Bureau is C+, and they’re not officially accredited. That doesn’t mean they’re shady. It just means there have been enough complaints to lower their score.

Scammers Using the Temu Name

Temu is a safe and legal app, but scammers are using its name to trick people. There have been phishing emails and websites pretending to be Temu. So even though the real Temu isn’t a scam, others might try to scam you by copying it.

In Europe, regulators are also keeping an eye on Temu and similar platforms to make sure they follow safety rules.

Bottom line: Temu itself is not a scam, but always double-check where you’re shopping.

Is Temu Legit BBB?

Temu is listed on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, but it is not accredited by them. It currently has a C+ rating, which isn’t the best. This rating is based on how well the company handles customer complaints, not whether it’s a scam.

So yes, Temu is a real business and has a profile on BBB, but it doesn’t have a high trust score there.

We’ve read through the reviews and complaints on BBB, and most of them mention delayed shipping, wrong items, or trouble getting refunds. These are common issues with budget platforms. Temu usually responds, but not always quickly. That’s why the rating isn’t great.

Still, we don’t think a low BBB rating means the site itself is a scam. We've ordered from Temu many times and always got our stuff, even if it wasn’t perfect. Plus, Temu does process refunds and has working customer service, even if slow.

Is Temu Bad?

Temu is not a scam, but some people might call it “bad” depending on what they expect. It offers super cheap products, but that can come with problems. Some items are low-quality, and customer service isn’t always fast. So while it’s not bad in the sense of being unsafe, it’s not perfect either.

That said, we keep using Temu because the prices are unbeatable, and most of our orders have been fine. If you’re cautious and stick to well-reviewed items, you can avoid most of the problems.

Is Temu Ethical?

Temu is a real company, but whether it’s ethical is a more complex question. Some critics say it’s not, while others think it’s just a business doing what discount platforms do. It depends on how you define ethical shopping.

One of the biggest concerns is product sourcing. Many of the items are made in low-cost regions, possibly in factories with poor labor conditions. Temu doesn’t always show where or how the items are made.

Also, Temu offers super cheap products and ships small packages across the world. According to some experts, this creates a large carbon footprint.

Still, Temu is not hiding. It lists its parent company, offices, and support details. And it gives people access to goods they may not have otherwise.

Is Temu Chinese?

Yes, Temu is a Chinese company, but it operates internationally. It’s owned by PDD Holdings, the same group that owns Pinduoduo, a major e-commerce platform in China. PDD Holdings is based in China but is registered in the Cayman Islands and has its main office in Dublin, Ireland.

Temu itself was launched in 2022 and started operations in Boston, Massachusetts. It runs its U.S. business through a company called Whaleco, Inc. That’s why it looks and feels like a U.S. platform, but it’s backed by a Chinese parent company.

Is Temu Going Out of Business?

No, Temu is not going out of business. In fact, it’s growing fast. It has hundreds of millions of users around the world, including over 180 million in the U.S. That’s not what you’d expect from a company that’s about to shut down.

There have been some rumors online because of delivery delays, higher prices, or fake products. But these don’t mean the platform is closing.

Also, the company behind Temu—PDD Holdings—is worth billions and is listed on the NASDAQ. Companies that size don’t disappear overnight.

Is Temu Shipping to the US?

Yes, Temu ships to the United States. In fact, the U.S. is one of Temu’s biggest markets. The app was first launched for American users and has been operating in the U.S. since 2022. Millions of orders are shipped to U.S. customers every month, including ours.

We’ve ordered from Temu more than 30 times, and every single one arrived without a problem (although some did take a little longer than expected). On average, our orders took between 7 to 14 days to arrive. It depends on what you order and whether it ships from a U.S. warehouse or overseas.

Does Temu Have Gift Cards?

Straight to the Point:

Temu offers digital gift cards. You can buy them directly on the app or website and send them by email to someone else. Gift cards are available in different amounts, and they work like regular payment methods when checking out.

We’ve used Temu gift cards ourselves and found the process super simple. You just go to your profile or search for "gift card" in the app. Once you choose an amount, you enter the recipient’s name and email address. They’ll get the card right away or at the time you schedule.

One thing to know is that Temu gift cards are non-refundable and can’t be turned into cash. Also, once a gift card is sent, it can’t be canceled.

How to Return and Get a Refund From Temu?

Returning an item on Temu is easy, and the first return for each order is free. Here’s how:

• First, go to your Temu account and find the order you want to return.

• Tap on the “Return/Refund” button next to the item.

• Then choose the reason for the return.

Depending on what you pick, the app may ask for extra info like a photo of the item.

Next, you’ll be asked how you want your refund. You can choose to get it back to your original payment method or as Temu credits, which are available faster and can be used right away on other orders. Here’s the screenshot of the refund we got:

If you need to send the item back, Temu will give you a prepaid return label. Just print it out, pack the item carefully, and drop it off at your local USPS or UPS location.

All refunds and return status updates are shown right in the app. You’ll also get alerts by email or notification. Overall, it’s one of the smoothest return processes we’ve used on any discount app.

Temu vs Other Platforms (Comparison)

Temu stands out for its ultra-low prices and massive product variety, but how does it compare to other top shoe shopping sites? To find out, take a look at this table:

Conclusion

So, is Temu legit?

In summary:

Temu is absolutely legit. It's run by PDD Holdings, which also owns the popular Chinese app Pinduoduo. Temu is officially registered in the U.S. and even has an office in Boston. The best part is that you can pay using safe options like PayPal and credit cards.

Millions of people have downloaded the app and left real reviews. Overall, it works just like other big online stores.