Particle.news
Download on the App Store
63 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

U.S. Ends De Minimis Exemption, Tariffs Now Apply to All Low‑Value Imports as Postal Services Pause

A temporary flat‑fee program begins for foreign posts adjusting systems to collect duties.

Image
FILE - Parcels slide down a ramp after being scanned at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection overseas mail inspection facility at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport Feb. 23, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

Overview

  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection started charging normal duty rates at 12:01 a.m. EDT on all incoming parcels regardless of value, origin or transport mode.
  • Foreign postal operators can use a six‑month flat‑fee option of $80, $160 or $200 per package based on country tariff bands, before shifting to value‑based collection by Feb. 28, 2026.
  • Dozens of national posts, including in Europe, Asia and Mexico, have suspended or limited U.S. parcel services, triggering order cancellations, while express carriers like UPS and FedEx say they can process duties.
  • The administration cites narcotics and counterfeit enforcement and projects up to about $10 billion in annual tariff revenue, following a surge to roughly 1.36 billion de minimis parcels in FY2024.
  • Retailers and marketplaces warn of higher costs and new paperwork for cross‑border e‑commerce as platforms such as Etsy and eBay advise sellers to find alternative shipping or prepare for price increases.