2 May 2025 all Chinese import consignments subject to duties
The US has ended the $800 duty-free exemption, de minimis, for consignment goods shipped from China (including Hong Kong) to US consumers. This came into effect on 2 May 2025. From this date all consignments worth less than $800 will be subject to a 120% levy or a flat fee of $100, rising to $200 from June.
This will affect over four million de minimis daily shipments into the US. Shipments from other countries will continue to enjoy the $800 threshold.
Individual consumers are permitted one duty-exempt consignment per day.
Global ending customs de minus
Duty and import tax exemption thresholds have traditionally been used to alleviate the obligation on customs authorities to collect relatively low totals of taxes for high administrative costs.
Ending the de minimis, part of the Trump Presidency imposition of increased tariffs, also reflects other countries withdrawing their de minimis thresholds. Several countries have recently moved to reduce or eliminate their de minimis thresholds to concerns over revenue loss, trade fairness, and protecting local retailers.
The EU customs €150 exemption is likely to be removed in 2028.
