U.S. ends duty-free treatment for low-value imports from China and Hong Kong, introducing tariffs up to 145% and affecting major e-commerce platforms.
U.S. ends duty-free treatment for low-value Chinese imports, marking a significant shift in trade policy that imposes tariffs as high as 145% on small parcels from China and Hong Kong.
Starting from May 2, 2025 the “de minimis” exemption will expire and stop permitting duty-free entry of packages below $800 value into the U.S. Shein and Temu alongside other e-commerce platforms face the biggest impact from this government policy change.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced it will implement new tariff enforcement which requires airlines together with shipping operators to obtain tax payments from China before goods leave the nation.
The readiness efforts face continuing doubts regarding how agencies will enforce the rules and how they will determine the country of origin for multi-stop shipments.
Some merchants have changed their operational approaches because of this policy transformation.
The online retailer Temu reduces delays by operating out of U.S. warehouses as alternative companies choose between price increases or complete U.S. shipment stoppages.
The Trump administration has launched this initiative as a part of its initiatives to fight smuggling activities and control counterfeit products as well as stop the flow of drugs such as fentanyl.
The removal of “de minimis” exemptions creates a major transformation in electronic commerce activities between United States and Chinese markets.
Businesses together with consumers expect supply chain disturbances and higher prices for imported products as these new tariff regulations are activated.
