Temu launches local warehouse in South Africa for faster delivery

We’ve all been there, finding something amazing online, clicking "add to cart", only to discover the delivery will take weeks. 

It’s frustrating, especially when you’re used to the instant gratification of next-day delivery. 

But if you’re a fan of online bargains, there’s good news: Temu, the international e-commerce giant that’s taken the world by storm, has now made it possible for South African shoppers to receive their orders in as little as one day.

Thanks to a new “local warehouse dispatch” option, selected items on Temu are now stocked in South Africa. 

That means your order skips the long overseas journey and is sent directly from within the country, making delivery not only quicker but also more reliable, especially during busy shopping seasons.

Keep an eye out for products marked with a “local warehouse” label. These are eligible for the speedier service, and the selection is growing to include bulkier items like furniture and home goods that used to be a hassle to ship internationally.

“The launch of local warehouse dispatch marks an exciting step forward in our mission to deliver a faster, smoother, and more satisfying shopping experience,” said a Temu spokesperson. “It’s all about making shopping with Temu even more convenient and rewarding.”

Temu first launched in the US in 2022 and expanded to South Africa in 2024. Now operating in over 90 countries, it’s rolled out this local dispatch model in major global markets including the UK, Germany, Australia, Japan, and now, South Africa.

While Temu doesn’t own these warehouses itself, it partners with trusted third-party logistics providers.

Sellers store inventory in these local hubs, which also handle delivery logistics and after-sales support.

IOL Lifestyle