The United States has officially ended the so-called “de minimis” exemption, which allowed the import of packages valued under $800 to enter the country duty-free. The measure, announced by the Trump administration and implemented with a six-month transition period, is already having immediate repercussions in global trade, as several postal services and international shipping companies have suspended certain deliveries to the U.S.
The elimination of this exemption is aimed at increasing tax revenue and tightening control over imports, particularly those coming from foreign e-commerce platforms such as Shein, Temu, and AliExpress, which had taken advantage of the rule to bring in low-cost goods without paying tariffs.
The government argues that the decision is meant to protect domestic industries from unfair competition and to ensure more level playing conditions for American producers. However, experts warn that the policy may negatively affect both consumers and small businesses.
Online shoppers will face higher costs and longer delivery times, while small enterprises that rely on imported supplies will see their operating expenses rise. Industry analysts point out that the policy could drive up the price of everyday goods such as clothing, tech accessories, and other consumer products. Internationally, the move has sparked immediate reactions from exporting countries, whose governments expressed concern about a potential decline in trade volumes and about the precedent it might set for new trade barriers.
At the same time, some nations have started considering retaliatory measures, including imposing additional tariffs on U.S. goods. The end of the “de minimis” exemption marks a significant shift in U.S. trade policy and opens a new chapter in the global struggle over control of e-commerce flows. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining how businesses and consumers adapt to a landscape where the cost of importing into the world’s largest market is set to rise considerably.
