At 12:01 a.m. (0401 GMT) on Friday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection began applying standard duty rates to all international parcel imports—no matter their value—after ending the de minimis tariff exemption for packages valued under $800.
During a six-month transition, postal shippers can pay a flat duty ranging from $80 to $200 per package, depending on the country of origin. On the same date, imports sent via non-postal carriers that would previously qualify for the exemption are now fully subject to applicable duties.
The Universal Postal Union confirmed that 25 member countries have temporarily halted postal shipments to the U.S., citing uncertainty over the new clearance rules for imports under $800.
For e-commerce sellers and small businesses, this shift may add new costs and complexity to cross-border sales. Digital nomads and travelers who ship personal items home could also see higher fees or longer delivery times.
Logistics experts recommend comparing carrier options, consolidating small packages, and exploring regional hubs to optimize costs. Longer term, tech-driven shipping platforms and startup innovators are racing to streamline cross-border duties and tracking.
Pressed at a White House briefing, a senior administration official called the end of the de minimis exemption a "permanent change," and said any effort to restore it for trusted trading partners is "dead on arrival."
As global e-commerce volumes continue to rise, this policy underscores the evolving landscape of international shipping—where every parcel now counts in a rapidly changing tariff environment.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
