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How does Temu's seller verification and return policy work?
Executive summary
Temu requires sellers to register through its Seller Center, submit business or identity documents (including government ID, business license, tax IDs, and in some cases product certifications), and complete an identity verification flow that can include facial‑recognition checks; Temu says many approvals can be fast (often within 24 hours to a few days) once documents are complete [1] [2] [3] [4]. For buyers, Temu publishes a generous returns framework—commonly described across guides as a roughly 90‑day window for most items, with the first return from an order often free and refunds issued to original payment method or Temu credit after processing [5] [6] [7] [8].
1. How sellers get verified — a paperwork and biometrics gateway
Temu’s onboarding asks sellers to register at the Temu Seller Center and provide detailed seller information: legal name, address, certificate type and identification, plus business registration documents (business license, tax ID) for companies or government ID for individuals; multiple independent guides and Temu’s own seller pages list these required uploads and that you submit the store details for review [1] [9] [10]. Temu explicitly uses a third‑party verification provider and discloses facial recognition as an available verification method (measuring facial features from images) while offering a manual alternative and data‑access and consent withdrawal routes in line with its Seller Privacy Policy [2].
2. Speed and practical steps — what sellers and analysts report
Temu and industry guides say the review step is usually quick if documents are complete — many outlets report approvals “within 24 hours” or a few days; several seller guides recommend submitting clear, complete business/license/tax documents to avoid delays [3] [4] [11]. Some regional markets (UK/EU) add compliance steps — e.g., VAT/OSS, CE/UKCA product certification — so registration timelines and required documents vary by country [12] [13].
3. Why Temu uses identity verification — stated goals and risks
Temu frames identity and facial verification as fraud prevention to protect customers, sellers, and the marketplace; the policy says facial information is treated carefully and shared only as required by law or to defend legal claims, but it also flags biometric sensitivity and gives opt‑out/manual options for some jurisdictions [2]. Independent guides emphasize the platform’s compliance requirements tied to tax and customs rules, which can affect seller operations and fulfillment choices [14] [12].
4. Buyer returns — the 90‑day headline and important caveats
Multiple guides summarize Temu’s consumer return policy as offering up to a 90‑day window for most items and note that Temu’s site details the full return/refund flow; first returns are commonly promoted as free for many orders, but some items are non‑returnable or “Final Sale” and specific product pages may set exceptions [5] [6] [15]. Helpful operational details across consumer guides: returns are started from the Your Orders area in app/website, items generally must be unused and in original packaging, and Temu can issue refunds either to the original payment method or as Temu credit [6] [16] [5].
5. Timing and costs — what shoppers should expect
Guides indicate the first return for an order is often free; subsequent returns from the same order may incur a fee (examples show $7.99 cited in reporting) and refund timing can vary — Temu’s site and tips pieces say refunds are processed after the item is received and can take up to two weeks depending on payment method [8] [17] [5]. Some outlets call attention to a buyer‑side nuance: certain reporting notes that the 90‑day window may be counted from order date rather than delivery date — consumers should check Temu’s policy wording on the support pages for the exact countdown start [18].
6. Areas where reporting diverges or is limited
Coverage is consistent that verification requires ID/business documents and Temu uses facial recognition as an option, but exact operational details (how often Temu forces biometric verification vs. manual review, granular rejection reasons, or the share of sellers approved in 24 hours) vary across guides and are not exhaustively enumerated in the available pages [1] [2] [3]. Likewise, while “90 days” is repeatedly cited, wording about whether the clock starts on order date or delivery date appears in some pieces and contradicts others — readers should consult Temu’s official Return and Refund Policy page for the controlling text [5] [18].
7. Practical advice — what sellers and buyers should do next
Sellers: prepare clear scans/photos of IDs, business license and tax documents, comply with local product safety/certification rules (CE/UKCA, VAT registrations in EU/UK) and use the Seller Center; consider the facial‑verification step and the manual alternative if needed [1] [12] [2]. Buyers: retain order records in the app, note return eligibility flags like “Final Sale,” start returns from the Your Orders flow, expect the first return often free, and allow up to two weeks (or longer by payment method) for refund processing [6] [8] [17] [16].
Limitations: available sources do not quantify how frequently Temu enforces facial recognition versus manual review, nor provide exhaustive examples of appeal timelines for rejected seller verifications — consult Temu’s Seller Center and policy pages for case‑specific answers [1] [2].