For years, goods worth $800 or less could enter the United States free of duty under the "de minimis" rule (Section 321). That exemption has been suspended for goods from every country.
What changed
- 2 May 2025: duty-free de minimis treatment ended for goods from China and Hong Kong.
- 29 August 2025: Executive Order 14324 suspended it for all countries. From that date, imports of any value are subject to all applicable duties, taxes and fees.
- 2026: the suspension has been continued, and CBP has published a notice making it indefinite for shipments arriving by modes other than international mail.
What it means in practice
- Every parcel into the US can owe duty, including a $20 order.
- Couriers (UPS, FedEx, DHL) file a customs entry and usually bill duty plus a clearance fee to whoever the shipment says will pay: the recipient by default.
- International mail is handled through the foreign postal operator and qualified third parties that collect duty for CBP, so the sender's postal service may charge duty up front or refuse some items.
- Gifts: check the current CBP guidance before relying on any gift exemption; the rules have changed several times since 2025.
How to avoid surprises
- Declare accurately, with a clear description and the true value. Undervaluing now carries more risk, because every parcel is assessed.
- Decide who pays. If you are a seller shipping to US customers, consider "delivered duty paid" (DDP) so the customer is not billed on the doorstep.
- Estimate first with the duty and tax estimator, using the duty rate for your goods from the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
Sources
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Fact sheet: Suspension of duty-free de minimis treatment
- The White House, Continuing the suspension of duty-free de minimis treatment for all countries (February 2026)
- Federal Register, Indefinite suspension of the de minimis exemption for merchandise arriving through all modes other than the international postal network (24 June 2026)
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