The end of de minimis — what it means for US importers

What actually changed

As of 29 August 2025, the United States suspended the de minimis exemption for shipments from all countries. Previously, goods valued under $800 could clear US customs free of duty and tax with minimal formality.

Now, every import is subject to a customs entry — formal or informal — and to any applicable duty and tariffs, regardless of how little the shipment is worth. For goods moving through the international postal system, duty may be assessed either as a percentage of value or as a flat per-item charge, depending on origin.

Who is hit hardest

The change lands heaviest on businesses that built their model around sub-$800 informal clearance:

• Ecommerce sellers and dropshippers shipping low-value parcels direct to US customers.
• SMEs importing samples, spares or components that used to slip under the threshold.
• Subscription and DTC brands fulfilling many small cross-border orders.

A retailer importing $50 accessories that once arrived duty-free may now face tariffs plus a per-shipment brokerage fee — turning a trivial cost into a real one.

What every shipment now needs

To clear cleanly under the new rules, each consignment needs:

• An accurate commercial invoice with true transaction value.
• Correct HS / HTS classification — see our Import Tax & Duties guide.
• A customs entry and payment of duty/tariffs.
• For higher-value commercial shipments, a customs bond and often a licensed broker.

How to stay profitable

The fixed cost of a customs entry hurts most when spread over a tiny shipment. Practical responses:

• Consolidate many small orders into fewer, larger shipments to spread clearance costs.
• Recalculate landed cost — product + freight + duty + fees — and reprice if needed.
• Classify correctly to avoid over-paying duty or facing penalties.
• Explore bonded warehousing and duty deferral to protect cash flow.
• Use a forwarder to batch entries and handle compliance.

How Boabab helps

We classify your goods, quote on a fully landed basis (so duty is in the number from day one), consolidate shipments to cut per-entry cost, and file clean customs entries through our network. If the rules have changed your economics, we'll help you rebuild the route to keep importing viable.