Free items at Temu: how the freebies really work
Temu gives away free items, but almost never in the way the app's first screen suggests. Those who open the app for the first time usually land on a roulette wheel promising 100% discounts and a product showcase... R$ 0.00. What this screen doesn't reveal upfront is the condition for unlocking each of them, and that's where many people get frustrated.
The general rule is in the store's own Terms of Use: gifts, credits, and coupons are rewards Each promotion has its own rules, and the rules of the promotion take precedence over the general rules. In other words, each free gift has a hidden price in the print: a minimum purchase, an invitation to friends, or a deadline. This guide shows the two approaches that work and what each one charges you.
The gift has a condition.
Items priced at R$ 0.00 on the welcome roulette wheel are usually only unlocked after a minimum purchase. Read the terms and conditions before choosing, not after.
Inviting friends counts
Some promotions release an item or credit when people you've invited register within the timeframe shown on the screen.
A coupon becomes a discount, not cash.
According to the Terms of Use, credits and coupons can be used to offset eligible purchases and cannot be withdrawn, except where required by law.
Taxes are your responsibility.
Even with the product at zero price, import tax, ICMS (Brazilian sales tax), and shipping costs may still appear on the order. The buyer is the importer.
Why does a "free" gift require a purchase?
The welcome roulette wheel is an acquisition tool: the store wants the first order to happen. That's why the 100% discount is tied to a minimum cart value. In the test that TechTudo published in July 2026, the reporter needed to buy at least R$ 50 worth of other products to unlock the zero-value items, and only one of them actually appeared on the first order. The others required a new purchase.
This doesn't make the free gift fake, but it changes the equation. If you were already going to buy something from Temu, the extra item is a real advantage. If you weren't, the "free" item might end up being more expensive than it seems, because the minimum order, shipping, and taxes are all factored in.
What works in your favor
Read the condition on the screen.
Each promotion has its own rules. Minimum value, deadline, and number of invitations are written there, and those are the rules that apply.
Combine it with a purchase you would already make.
The free gift is worth more when it's included in an order you would place anyway. Then the minimum offer ceases to be an extra cost.
Use before it expires.
Credits and coupons have an expiration date. If the account is closed, the Terms state that the rewards are forfeited.
One account only
The Terms prohibit creating multiple accounts and abusing promotions. Punishments range from canceling the reward to suspending the account.
What is advertised as free but is not.
Temu's name has become bait for scams in messaging groups. Three formats are repeated:
- Link for a "free gift" outside the app: Official promotions take place within the Temu app and website. Any third-party page asking for registration to unlock prizes is not from the store.
- Password or verification code requested: The Terms prohibit sharing your account or password with anyone. Anyone requesting the code that arrived via SMS is trying to take over your account.
- "Cash withdrawal of credits: Temu rewards can be used to offset eligible purchases. Offers to exchange credit for Pix outside the app are fraudulent.
The caveat regarding the refund
According to the Terms, you can cancel an order free of charge before it's packed and return it after receiving it. However, in TechTudo's test, the cancellation fee was returned as internal app credit, not to the card. Before filling your cart just to unlock a free gift, check the refund screen to see where the money goes.
Common questions
Yes, but with conditions. Items priced at R$ 0.00 usually require a minimum purchase or invitations from new users within a specific timeframe. The conditions are displayed on each promotion screen.
You may need to. The Terms of Use make it clear that the buyer pays taxes, ICMS (Brazilian sales tax), customs duties, and shipping costs for the order. A zero-stock product does not eliminate these costs.
No, except where required by law. According to the Terms, credits and coupons are for discounts or payments on eligible purchases, and not all products are eligible.
No. The Terms prohibit creating multiple accounts and abusing promotions. The store may cancel the reward, cancel orders, and suspend access.
The free gift is shipped with the order. In TechTudo's test, the products took more than a month to arrive, so please factor in international delivery times.
Free gifts and coupons combine when you already have a purchase in mind: the free item is added to the order and the coupon takes care of the rest. Start with the free gifts, as this is where the most unsuspecting offer is found.