Nicole Lappin

So net-net, if you're buying a bag from the factory that claims to make Birkin bags in China, you're probably buying a knockoff. If you're cool with that, then great. You're not doing anything illegal. Possession of counterfeit items for personal use isn't a crime in the United States. But, and this is a very big but, reselling them is a totally different story. That is illegal.

Plus, importing counterfeit goods can get you in trouble with U.S. customs. In 2023 alone, US Customs seized $1.8 billion worth of counterfeit goods. So even if a TikTok video says that it's just a factory surplus or a dupe or made in the same factory, that doesn't necessarily make it legit or even legal. Plus, these videos often blur the lines between inspired by and counterfeit.

Plus, importing counterfeit goods can get you in trouble with U.S. customs. In 2023 alone, US Customs seized $1.8 billion worth of counterfeit goods. So even if a TikTok video says that it's just a factory surplus or a dupe or made in the same factory, that doesn't necessarily make it legit or even legal. Plus, these videos often blur the lines between inspired by and counterfeit.

Plus, importing counterfeit goods can get you in trouble with U.S. customs. In 2023 alone, US Customs seized $1.8 billion worth of counterfeit goods. So even if a TikTok video says that it's just a factory surplus or a dupe or made in the same factory, that doesn't necessarily make it legit or even legal. Plus, these videos often blur the lines between inspired by and counterfeit.

And that's a legal gray zone, one that gets even murkier when you're trying to buy directly from a foreign manufacturer online. But just to put a really, really fine point on this, if you think you're going to get essentially a Birkin bag without the logo made in the same factory in China as all the other Birkin bags, you're not.

And that's a legal gray zone, one that gets even murkier when you're trying to buy directly from a foreign manufacturer online. But just to put a really, really fine point on this, if you think you're going to get essentially a Birkin bag without the logo made in the same factory in China as all the other Birkin bags, you're not.

And that's a legal gray zone, one that gets even murkier when you're trying to buy directly from a foreign manufacturer online. But just to put a really, really fine point on this, if you think you're going to get essentially a Birkin bag without the logo made in the same factory in China as all the other Birkin bags, you're not.

But again, maybe that's cool with you and you're just trying to do a little tariff-free shopping through buying direct from a Chinese company and that would work.

But again, maybe that's cool with you and you're just trying to do a little tariff-free shopping through buying direct from a Chinese company and that would work.

But again, maybe that's cool with you and you're just trying to do a little tariff-free shopping through buying direct from a Chinese company and that would work.

for now because here's the thing if you're just an individual consumer typically tariffs don't apply to your purchases because most of the time when you order something directly from a chinese seller like aliexpress or timu or even listings on amazon or ebay those goods are shipped in small packages straight to your door

for now because here's the thing if you're just an individual consumer typically tariffs don't apply to your purchases because most of the time when you order something directly from a chinese seller like aliexpress or timu or even listings on amazon or ebay those goods are shipped in small packages straight to your door

for now because here's the thing if you're just an individual consumer typically tariffs don't apply to your purchases because most of the time when you order something directly from a chinese seller like aliexpress or timu or even listings on amazon or ebay those goods are shipped in small packages straight to your door

As long as the total value of that package is under $800, it's covered by something called the de minimis exemption. That means no tariffs, no customs duties, no import taxes. This is how Chinese companies like Xi'an and Timu have been able to keep their prices dirt cheap, and these prices have been hugely attractive for US consumers.

As long as the total value of that package is under $800, it's covered by something called the de minimis exemption. That means no tariffs, no customs duties, no import taxes. This is how Chinese companies like Xi'an and Timu have been able to keep their prices dirt cheap, and these prices have been hugely attractive for US consumers.

As long as the total value of that package is under $800, it's covered by something called the de minimis exemption. That means no tariffs, no customs duties, no import taxes. This is how Chinese companies like Xi'an and Timu have been able to keep their prices dirt cheap, and these prices have been hugely attractive for US consumers.

In 2023 alone, Americans received 1 billion packages under the de minimis threshold. Meanwhile, U.S. companies are struggling, notably Forever 21, a fast fashion staple, has filed for bankruptcy twice in the last six years. And here's the reason a Forever 21 just can't compete on price with Shein, despite both companies manufacturing in China. If customers are buying from a U.S.

In 2023 alone, Americans received 1 billion packages under the de minimis threshold. Meanwhile, U.S. companies are struggling, notably Forever 21, a fast fashion staple, has filed for bankruptcy twice in the last six years. And here's the reason a Forever 21 just can't compete on price with Shein, despite both companies manufacturing in China. If customers are buying from a U.S.

In 2023 alone, Americans received 1 billion packages under the de minimis threshold. Meanwhile, U.S. companies are struggling, notably Forever 21, a fast fashion staple, has filed for bankruptcy twice in the last six years. And here's the reason a Forever 21 just can't compete on price with Shein, despite both companies manufacturing in China. If customers are buying from a U.S.

retailer that imports goods from China, like Forever 21, tariffs do apply to the retailer and they can pass those costs on to the consumer. But for consumers making individual purchases from Chinese companies under $800, tariffs won't affect them.