AliExpress’s ’1000-won deal’ promotion page (L) and Temu’s Fishland free shopping event (R). (Photo: a screenshot from AliExpress/Temu)
SEOUL, Apr. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – Korean customers who have been indulging in the thrill of bargain hunting on Chinese e-commerce platforms like AliExpress and Temu are now reacting with shock and concern following reports of carcinogenic substances detected in products purchased from these sites.
On April 10, the retail industry sources reported a surge in apprehension among South Korean customers who frequently shop on AliExpress and Temu, after recent announcements that carcinogenic materials were found in products bought from these platforms.
On April 7, the Incheon Central Customs Office revealed that out of 404 jewelry items analyzed from AliExpress and Temu, 96 (24%) contained carcinogenic substances exceeding the permitted levels, with cadmium and lead levels ranging from 10 to 700 times higher than domestic safety standards.
A day later, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that out of 31 popular children’s and household products sold on AliExpress, eight contained hazardous substances significantly exceeding the permitted levels. A children’s leather bag was found to contain phthalate plasticizers, which can cause infertility, reproductive toxicity, and potentially carcinogenic effects.
Notably, the concern was amplified among avid customers who have been treating the cash-giveaway marketing campaigns of AliExpress and Temu as a game in recent times.
AliExpress, for instance, launched the “100 Billion Won Festa” on its K-venue (Korean product section) on March 18, offering daily deals at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. where customers could purchase fresh produce like oranges, bananas and eggs for just 1,000 won, including free shipping. These “1,000 won deals” were so popular that they sold out within a few seconds of becoming available.
Seoul city conducts safety inspections on products purchased from Chinese e-commerce platforms. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Online communities were filled with posts from customers proudly sharing their “1,000 won deal” successes, as if they had obtained rare gaming items, with some even sharing tips and strategies for securing these bargains.
Temu’s online community witnessed a rapid influx of new customers, with users actively seeking referrals to join the platform and participate in game-based free shopping events.
As AliExpress and Temu have aggressively marketed to Korean customers, the potential for consumer harm from purchasing products containing carcinogenic substances could snowball.
According to data from Wiseapp, Coupang topped the charts with 30.86 million users last month, followed by AliExpress (8.87 million), Temu (8.29 million), and 11st (7.4 million).
Both AliExpress and Temu are now on high alert as authorities have intensified their scrutiny of these platforms.
If the government continues to uncover safety issues with Chinese products, customers who initially purchased from these sites due to low prices may significantly shift away, posing a significant risk to these companies.
In response, AliExpress stated, “We have initiated an internal investigation into the products mentioned in recent reports and will immediately remove any items requiring safety certifications that do not comply with domestic regulations from our platform.”
Temu also assured, “Customer safety is our top priority, and we are taking immediate action to exclude problematic products from our sales listings. We will conduct a comprehensive investigation into similar products to ensure they meet safety requirements.”
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
