Overview

• Chinese manufacturers and influencers are using TikTok to market direct factory purchases to U.S. consumers as a way to bypass President Trump’s 145% tariffs on Chinese imports.
• Luxury brands like Lululemon and Birkenstock have publicly denied links to the factories featured in these videos, warning about counterfeit products and misinformation.
• Experts suggest many of the products promoted in these videos are likely knockoffs or 'dupes,' not genuine goods from luxury brand suppliers.
• Chinese e-commerce platforms, including DHgate and Taobao, have surged in popularity in the U.S., ranking among the top apps downloaded this week.
• Influencers are now sharing new methods for tariff avoidance, including personal imports and freight-forwarding strategies, as the May 2 expiration of the $800 de minimis import exemption approaches.