On May 2 at 12:01 a.m. EDT, U.S. consumers will feel the pinch: the duty-free de minimis rule for low-value imports (under $800) from the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region expires. President Donald Trump’s April 2 executive order ends the long-standing exemption, reshaping how small packages traverse global supply chains.
What’s changing? President Trump first flagged the move in February, then hit pause—leaving U.S. customs, postal and delivery services wrestling with backlogs. Now, with the exemption ending, packages under $800 will face a 120% duty or a $100 flat fee (rising to $200 on June 1), on top of the 145% in tariffs already applied to many goods from the Chinese mainland.
Data from cargo manifests show a slowdown in shipments: cargo loaded after April 9 has been subject to new rates, fewer vessels are departing the Chinese mainland, and many U.S. importers are scaling back orders amid soaring costs. Entrepreneurs selling gadgets, fashion or home goods may see pricing and delivery timelines shift dramatically.
The executive order also sets the stage for broader changes: once adequate systems are in place to fully and expeditiously process and collect duty revenue, the de minimis exemption will be eliminated for other countries and regions targeted by U.S. tariffs. This so-called reciprocal tariffs policy aims to level the playing field but could stretch global e-commerce—and your patience—further.
For digitally savvy global citizens tracking online shopping trends, this policy shift is a live lesson in how geopolitics meets everyday purchases. A $10 find could double in cost before it arrives at your door. Whether you’re a casual buyer or a cross-border seller, understanding these new duty rules is crucial in a world where a small parcel can carry big political weight.
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U.S. consumers may face pricier Chinese goods as duty-free imports end
cgtn.com
