Overview
The United States has removed the de minimis exemption rule for low-value imports on August 29, 2025, through an executive order signed by President Trump.
Previously, shipments valued under USD 800 could enter the U.S. without import duties under the Section 321 / de minimis rule. With this change, low-value shipments will now be subject to import duties, taxes, customs processing requirements, and additional clearance checks.
This change may affect landed costs, customs clearance times, and delivery experience for shipments sent to the United States.
What is the de minimis exemption rule?
The de minimis exemption is a longtime U.S. trade rule that has allowed goods valued under US$800 to enter the country without paying duties or taxes, and with expedited clearance.
The rule helped reduce shipping costs and speed up delivery times for low-value goods — giving a big boost for e-commerce businesses and SMEs wanting to reach U.S. customers.
How does the end of de minimis impact your business?
With the U.S. exemption gone, all imports are treated like regular customs entries. For companies of all sizes that previously relied on the easy customs clearance of low-value de minimis shipments, this means shifting towards a new landscape of higher tariffs, increased compliance requirements, and potentially higher costs for imported goods.
Here’s what it all means in practice:
Duties, taxes, and processing fees will now apply even to small orders, customs authorities will collect duties and taxes on all shipments, requiring payment before release and ensuring that shipments are accepted only with proper documentation and compliance.
Product classification (HTS codes), declared values, and documentation must be 100% accurate to avoid delays or penalties, and businesses must comply with new customs requirements for electronic data and regulatory adherence. Customs authorities will determine the correct duties and compliance requirements based on the information provided.
The importation process will now involve more entities, such as customs brokers and logistics providers, and stricter provisions to ensure compliance with the updated regulations.
Under the new policy, businesses or customers may need to pay additional costs, such as higher prices or duties, to maintain margins.
If duties/taxes aren’t paid in advance or clearly displayed at checkout, cart abandonment could spike when customers are hit with surprise fees and the payment of duties is required at delivery.
What we recommend
To help reduce customs issues and delays, we recommend:
Using detailed item descriptions
Providing correct HS Codes
Declaring accurate shipment values
Ship using DDP (Duties/Taxes billed to Sender) term, or clearly informing your customers to expect paying duties and taxes before delivery
Important Notes
Import duties and taxes are determined by U.S. Customs and related authorities
Duty assessments may vary depending on product type, country of origin, and declared value
Customs processing times are outside the carrier’s control
Need Help?
If you have questions about shipping to the United States, please contact our support team through WhatsApp or Email.