The time has finally come: on a Wednesday morning, November 13, 2024, Amazon opened a low-cost online store featuring fashion, lifestyle, home and other products from a number of categories priced under $20.
In an effort to compete with Chinese Marketplaces such as Temu and Shein, the new Amazon Haul app will mostly spotlight items that cost less than $10 and offer free 1-2 weeks delivery on orders over $25.
How to Access Amazon Haul?
The new Amazon store can be accessed by U.S. customers simply by updating their Amazon Shopping app.
Keep in mind that Amazon Haul is a mobile-only experience. If you’re currently reading this from your phone, you can:
1. Use the direct link to Amazon Haul;
2. Scan the QR Code (provided below);
3. Type “Haul” in the search bar and hit “Enter” – it will instantly redirect you to the the store;
4. Navigate to Amazon Haul from the main menu icon;
Amazon Haul Prices & Delivery
Amazon Haul acts like a separate platform, meaning it provides customers with a much different experience, including its own search, shopping cart and checkout process.
With a focus on affordability, Amazon Haul offers all items at $20 or less, with many priced under $10, and some bargains available for just $1.
The platform not only provides low prices but also incentivizes bulk purchases with additional savings. Shoppers can enjoy a 5% discount on orders of $50 or more, and a 10% discount on orders of $75 or more, maximizing their value for each dollar spent.
According to documentation, U.S. customers can expect their Haul orders to arrive from Amazon’s warehouse in China. The company claims these orders will be delivered within one to two weeks.
Amazon Haul Return Policy
Amazon has introduced an easy return policy for Amazon Haul, offering free returns on purchases over $3 within 15 days. With over 8,000 drop-off locations, including Amazon Lockers and Whole Foods, customers can easily return items they don’t like.
What Products Can be Found on Amazon Haul?
Temu and Shein have both been criticized for selling low-quality products, often from lesser-known or unbranded sources. Similarly, items on Amazon Haul may also be unbranded and resemble those found on Chinese marketplaces. However, Amazon ensures that all products offered on Haul are thoroughly screened, so customers can trust that they are receiving items that are safe, authentic, and meet all necessary legal and regulatory standards.
Although the prices are low, every purchase made on Haul is backed by Amazon’s A-to-Z Guarantee to provide customers with confidence regarding their product choices. It will ensure the products offered are in good condition, including if they’re defective, damaged, or not as described.
How Does Delivery Compare to Amazon Prime?
Unlike the fast 0-2 day shipping Amazon Prime members enjoy, Haul shipments can take up to 10 days. While this is fairly quick for direct imports from China, it might feel slow if you’re used to Prime’s speed.
Nevertheless, some customers reported initially being told their package would take 10 days to arrive, but received it in about 5, with some shipments clearing customs in as little as a few minutes.
What Can You Expect from Product Quality?
The quality of products on Amazon Haul has been likened to items you’d find at a dollar store — not terrible, but far from premium. Products are shipped in minimal packaging, and some arrive in slightly rough condition, though typically without damage.
It’s important to note that Haul listings usually lack detailed descriptions, bullet points, or customer reviews, which makes assessing quality and suitability more challenging.
Essentially, the platform appeals more to bargain hunters than those looking for good-quality products.
Price Difference On Amazon Haul: Is it Really a Thing?
The standout feature of Amazon Haul is its budget-friendly pricing, with most items costing under $10 and some as low as $0.99. However, there is a shipping fee of $3.99 if you don’t meet the $25 free shipping threshold.
Here’s where it gets interesting — certain items on Amazon Haul are available at similar prices on the regular Amazon site, but with the added benefit of free Prime shipping. For example, a product for $3.99 on Haul might also be available on Amazon with Prime, delivered faster and with no shipping costs.
On closer inspection, it seems likely that the products can be sold by the same sellers, though under different seller accounts. To make things more distinct (or confusing?), these sellers might even be using AI tools to tweak their product listings. To be more precise – product images, that look almost identical except for a critical detail
Is Temu Still a Threat to Amazon?
We all know by now that Amazon’s incentive to open this Haul store was driven by the rising popularity of Chinese marketplaces like Temu and Shein, but it’s not just Amazon who declared war against them – the U.S. government has also played its role.
Earlier on September 13th, the Biden administration introduced new changes to the “De Minimis” rule in order to stop these ultra-low marketplaces that took advantage of it. In short, it forced China’s sellers to increase their prices to pay tariffs & duties on the products they’re shipping in.
Previously, Temu could bypass these expensive tariffs by keeping their value of shipments under $800, but that’s not an option anymore: now they have to pay custom fees & duties for every single product shipment.
Secondly, the U.S. government has imposed stricter information collection. Sellers will now have to provide a 10-digit tariff classification number so the U.S. customs are able to check every single item imported to the country, meaning there will be no way for Temu sellers to sneak products in for free anymore. From now on, they have to tell the US customs who the buyer is to even try and claim the De Minimus Exemption, which makes it even tougher for them to avoid taking responsibility for bringing poor quality products into the United States.
The last massive change that’s going to kill Temu is the new rule, implying that from now on if you’re importing goods for personal use, you must provide either your employee identification number (EIN), or your social security number (SSN). And let’s be honest, not that many buyers would want to reveal this information to Chinese sellers just to save a few dollars on a product of questionable quality.
Final Thoughts
The introduction of a new Amazon store, Amazon Haul, marks a significant step in the e-commerce landscape, especially in the face of competition from Chinese marketplaces like Temu and Shein. With its focus on affordability, offering items under $20 and many under $10, Amazon Haul is set to attract budget-conscious shoppers, complemented by enticing bulk purchase discounts and free delivery for orders over $25.
The platform ensures a distinct shopping experience with its own search and checkout processes, alongside a user-friendly return policy that fosters customer confidence. And with the recent U.S. government regulations which have increased the pressure on Temu and Shein, there’s a chance that Amazon Haul will push Chinese competitors off the stage once and for all.
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Frequently asked questions
Do you need Amazon Prime for Amazon Haul?
No! Amazon Haul is open to everyone — no Prime membership required. That means you can snag great deals on budget-friendly items without paying for extra perks.
Plus, every purchase is backed by Amazon’s A-to-Z Guarantee, giving you peace of mind with every transaction.
What Products Does Amazon Haul Offer?
Amazon Haul has a wide range of budget-friendly finds, with items starting at just $1. Many are under $10, and nothing exceeds $20.
Plus, shoppers save more when they spend more — you can get 5% off when you hit $50 and 10% off on orders above $75.
Are Amazon Haul Products the Same as Regular Listings?
Interestingly, most products found on Haul are not identical to those listed on Amazon’s regular site, even if sold by the same company. Some items might be similar, but sellers often list separate products on Haul to attract a different audience.
