(NewsNation) — President Trump’s tariffs were supposed to steer shoppers toward “Made in America,” but many appear to be taking a different approach — going directly to Chinese suppliers on a platform called DHgate.
Dubbed the “little yellow app” on social media, DHgate is a Chinese e-commerce marketplace where shoppers can find dupes of luxury brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton for a fraction of the cost.
Recent social media hype — fueled by Trump’s trade war — has made DHgate one of the hottest iPhone apps in the country. It ranked No. 2 among free apps on the U.S. Apple App Store as of Wednesday afternoon.
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The surge in popularity comes after TikTok videos from supposed Chinese manufacturers went viral, claiming to reveal how luxury goods are actually made.
In one widely seen video, a creator named senbags2 says that more than 80% of the luxury bags in the world are made in China but said luxury brands “won’t acknowledge that.”
“They take almost finished bags from China factories back to their own factories and just do the repackaging and logo installing — something like that,” the social media user claimed.
The account has since been suspended, but the clip — and others like it — set off a wave of reaction videos about Chinese factories “exposing” luxury brands. Other clips showed vindicated DHgate shoppers celebrating the quality of their dupes, asserting they were “real all along.”
Here’s what to know about DHgate and why it’s blowing up online.
What is DHgate?
DHgate is a wholesale marketplace that connects businesses and consumers to suppliers and manufacturers in China and other markets. It was founded in 2004 and is based in Beijing.
The company’s website says it offers over 30 million products across categories like electronics, home and toys, apparel, jewelry and others.
Like other shopping sites, users can scroll through products and suppliers to compare prices. A search for “designer bag” returns 190,000 results with items ranging from $3 to $4 up to $1,400.
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Many of the items are unbranded, while others are recognizable knock-offs of popular luxury goods.
There are a lot of suppliers, more than 2.5 million, according to the site. DHgate lets users leave reviews about the products and suppliers, though in the age of bots, it’s worth browsing with a discerning eye.
A subreddit dedicated to all things DHgate has nearly 240,000 followers, where users compare their orders and exchange tips.
Why is DHgate so popular right now?
The site’s been around for a while, but it’s blown up thanks to viral TikToks where supposed Chinese manufacturers claim to show luxury brands’ production secrets.
For many consumers, the videos confirmed their suspicion that luxury handbags and jewelry are expensive because of the brand name, not the craftsmanship. Virtually overnight, sites like DHgate went from being seen as ultra-low-quality to a viable shopping alternative for some.
One commenter on a viral DHgate video wrote: “I am soooo here for the downfall of luxury brands like about timeeeee.”
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In other TikToks, users show off their “DHgate hauls,” flaunting jewelry and sneakers that closely resemble high-end brands.
“If you guys look right now, you can find all kinds of Jordans and high-end bags and all of these things for super cheap,” one TikTok user said, adding, “DHgate is real and has been for years.”
While it’s true that Chinese factories make many products for well-known Western brands, there’s reason to be skeptical of the claims made on TikTok.
A spokesperson for Lululemon, one of the brands mentioned in a viral video, told NBC News it “does not work with the manufacturers identified in the online videos” and urged consumers “to be aware of potentially counterfeit products and misinformation.”
Derek Guy, also known as “the menswear guy” on X, took issue with claims made in one of the videos and pointed out how little craftsmanship was demonstrated in the clip.
“This entire idea of chasing after luxury brands by skirting various distribution routes to buy off someone on TikTok who doesn’t even show you the craft that goes into their products — and may disappear tomorrow— is ludicrous,” Guy wrote.
Is it risky to buy from DHgate?
DHgate is a real marketplace that links buyers to suppliers, primarily in China — but that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free.
Part of that is because DHgate is a platform; it connects buyers with third-party sellers, but it’s not a retailer. Quality varies from supplier to supplier, so you may be disappointed with what you receive, if it arrives at all.
DHgate fails are easy to find on social media, with users unboxing items that didn’t meet their expectations.
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Counterfeits are also a concern, and some TikTokers claim their DHgate orders got held up at U.S. customs.
Last year, border officials seized more than 5 million handbags and wallets for violating intellectual property rights, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
In 2022, the Office of the United States Trade Representative added DHGate to its list of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy.
DHgate was one of 38 online markets listed in the agency’s 2024 annual report, which noted, “Sellers of counterfeit goods reportedly continue to evade detection by using code words and digitally blurred logos.”
However, the report acknowledged that the platform has done a better job cracking down in recent years.
Can I avoid Trump’s tariffs?
Buying straight from Chinese suppliers probably won’t help you dodge tariffs despite what some on TikTok have claimed.
That’s because President Trump is eliminating the so-called “de minimis” exemption on merchandise from China and Hong Kong. The rule allowed companies to avoid tariffs and certain customs paperwork on packages worth $800 or less.
It’s a decision that’s expected to lead to higher costs for consumers who shop at bargain sites like Shein and Temu but will also apply to DHgate orders coming from China.
Starting May 2, low-value imports from China will face a tax rate of either 30% of their value or $25 per item, according to a White House fact sheet. The dollar amount is set to increase to $50 after June 1.
