Duty-free package exemption ends

Summary

Trump suspended the $800 de minimis duty-free exemption, first for China and Hong Kong in May 2025 and then for all countries on August 29, 2025. Low-value postal shipments faced ad valorem duties or, for an initial six months, flat per-package duties of $80 to $200; the US received more than 1.3 billion foreign packages in 2024.

What happened

The administration ended the longstanding $800 de minimis exemption that let low-value imports enter duty-free. The exemption was first suspended for China and Hong Kong on May 2, 2025, then for all countries on August 29, 2025. Affected low-value postal shipments faced ad valorem duties or, for an initial six months, flat per-package duties ranging from $80 to $200. The US received more than 1.3 billion foreign packages in 2024.

Impact on the United States

Raises prices on inexpensive consumer goods such as apparel and household items that lower-income households rely on, and adds customs friction and shipping costs that are passed through to consumers.

Documented effects

1. Aug 2025$800 de minimis exemption ended for all countries Aug 29, 2025, after a May 2 suspension for China and Hong Kong[1]
2. Low-value postal packages faced ad valorem duties or, for six months, flat per-package duties of $80-$200; the US received more than 1.3 billion foreign packages in 2024[1][2]
3. Feb 20, 2026Executive Order 14388 (Feb 20, 2026) continued the de minimis suspension for all countries after the Supreme Court IEEPA ruling[3]

Why this is rated significant

Ending the de minimis break raises everyday prices on the low-cost imports households depend on.

suspension continued by Executive Order 14388 after the February 2026 IEEPA ruling; statutory repeal effective July 1, 2027

Corrections & updates [4]

Every change to a fact on this page after publication is logged here, newest first.

1. Sep 29, 2026CorrectedFigure

   The entry said about 1.4 billion low-value packages entered the US each year. Neither cited source gives that figure; the Hogan Lovells analysis says the US received more than 1.3 billion foreign packages in 2024. It also presented the $80-$200 flat per-package duties as current; the White House set them as an option for international postal shipments for six months (Reuters, via Global News).[1][2]

2. Sep 29, 2026UpdatedStatus

   After the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, Executive Order 14388 (February 20, 2026) continued the suspension of duty-free de minimis treatment for all countries, including postal shipments. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act repeals the exemption by statute effective July 1, 2027 (Hogan Lovells).[3][1]

   Previously

   in-effect

   Now

   in-effect (suspension continued by Executive Order 14388 after the February 2026 IEEPA ruling; statutory repeal effective July 1, 2027)

3. Sep 29, 2026ClarifiedSource

   Corrected source details: the Hogan Lovells alert is dated August 8, 2025 and has moved to hlc.com; the Global News article is a Reuters report published July 30, 2025 titled "U.S. ends 'de minimis' tariff exemption for all low-value packages".[1][2]

4. Sep 29, 2026ClarifiedSummary

   The display text said low-value packages "now" carry flat $80-$200 fees. Per the entry's sources, the flat per-package duties applied only for an initial six months; ad valorem duties apply otherwise.[1][2]

   + Show previous and current text- Hide previous and current text

   Previously

   Trump suspended the $800 de minimis duty-free exemption, first for China and Hong Kong and then globally on August 29, 2025. Low-value packages now carry ad valorem duties or flat $80-$200 fees, raising costs on cheap goods lower-income households buy.

   Now

   Trump suspended the $800 de minimis duty-free exemption, first for China and Hong Kong and then globally on August 29, 2025. Low-value packages face ad valorem duties (flat $80-$200 postal fees applied for the first six months), raising costs on cheap goods lower-income households buy.

Sources [3]