Continuing the Suspension of Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries

This measure concerns the suspension of “de minimis” treatment, a customs provision that can allow qualifying low-value shipments to enter with simplified processing and without ordinary customs duties. “Continuing” indicates that the suspension remains in effect under the applicable measure. IEEPA, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, is the legal authority identified for the measure; it can authorize trade restrictions or additional import requirements when the government determines that an applicable national emergency exists.

The measure is described as applying to all countries, so it may affect shipments based on their eligibility under the de minimis rules rather than on a single named country. It typically matters to ecommerce sellers, marketplaces, carriers, and US importers shipping low-value parcels directly to customers. A shipment that no longer qualifies for de minimis treatment may require a formal or informal customs entry, duty assessment, other applicable charges, and additional data or documentation. The actual result depends on the product’s tariff classification, country of origin, customs value, shipment facts, and any other trade measures that apply.

What to check

• Confirm the current status, scope, effective provisions, and exclusions in the official measure and implementing Customs and Border Protection guidance.
• Classify the product under the correct Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) heading and review any additional tariff provisions or trade remedies that may apply.
• Verify the product’s customs value, country of origin, seller, buyer, and shipment structure; do not confuse the shipping price with the customs value without checking the valuation rules.
• Determine whether the shipment can still use a de minimis entry process or must use another entry type, and confirm who is responsible for duties, taxes, fees, and customs data.
• Ask a licensed customs broker or trade professional to review uncertain classifications, valuation, origin, or entry requirements before shipping affected products.