# US de minimis checker

Checked 2026-10-22: ordinary commercial US imports still cannot use the $800 de minimis exemption. Some postal formal-entry compliance moves to 2027-01-20; this does not restore duty-free treatment. StoreCalc checks the date, origin and route, with current HTS duty estimates.

https://storecalc.com/en/deminimis/

Rules checked: 2026-10-22; tariff: USITC HTS 2026 Revision 21

Ordinary commercial goods only. Gifts, donations, baggage, returned goods, trade preferences, quotas and trade remedies require separate review.

## Rule timeline

| Effective / applicable | Who it affects | What changed | Published | Checked | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-05-02 | China / Hong Kong origin | De minimis suspended for products of China and Hong Kong. | 2025-05-01 | 2026-10-22 | [Official source](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCBP/bulletins/3de903b) |
| 2025-08-29 | All origins, ordinary commercial goods | Global suspension; the original postal transition let carriers choose ad valorem or per-package duty, not sellers choosing the cheaper method per parcel. | 2025-07-30 | 2026-10-22 | [Official source](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/suspending-duty-free-de-minimis-treatment-for-all-countries/) |
| 2026-02-24 | Postal goods otherwise eligible for de minimis | Suspension continues. Interim postal duty is value × 10%, until the surcharge expires or the new postal process begins, whichever comes first. | 2026-02-20 | 2026-10-22 | [Official source](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/02/continuing-the-suspension-of-duty-free-de-minimis-treatment-for-all-countries/) [Ad valorem rate](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/02/imposing-a-temporary-import-surcharge-to-address-fundamental-international-payments-problems/) |
| 2026-06-24 | International post | CBP independently suspends postal de minimis indefinitely under its statutory authority. | 2026-06-24 | 2026-10-22 | [Official source](https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-12669) |
| 2026-06-24 | Express and other non-postal imports | CBP also suspends non-postal de minimis indefinitely. | 2026-06-24 | 2026-10-22 | [Official source](https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-12670) |
| 2026-07-24 | International post | New postal informal entry begins for eligible shipments up to $2,500; applicable tariff rates govern duty. | 2026-06-24 | 2026-10-22 | [Official source](https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-12669) |
| 2026-10-22 | Postal goods under 19 CFR 145.12(a)(2)(v), (vi) | Formal-entry compliance for postal goods with PGA requirements, Chapter 98/99 duties or specified duty-free claims moves to 2027-01-20. De minimis is not restored. | 2026-10-22 | 2026-10-22 | [Official source](https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-21600) |

## How to check

1. Identify origin and import channel. USPS final-mile delivery alone does not mean an international postal import.
2. Rules normally depend on entry, withdrawal or completion of the declaration (US Eastern time), not mailing. Confirm shipments crossing an effective date with the carrier.
3. Check exemption and entry eligibility before duty. Do not subtract $800 from the customs value.
4. Current estimate: shipment value × (base + applicable additional rates) / 100 + duty per kg × shipment net weight. Dates after verification use current rates for budgeting, not a guarantee of future rates.
5. Eligible postal transition scenarios from 2026-02-24 through 2026-07-23: shipment value × 10%, without today's tariff layers.
6. Duty only: excludes MPF, HMF, postal / carrier collection fees, brokerage and freight. Current HTS data is not a historical rate database.

## Worked examples

### China T-shirt, post, $20, 2026-10-22

If it enters on the shipping date: the $800 de minimis exemption is suspended. Entry route: postal informal entry if eligible; shipment duty about $7.30.

### Vietnam T-shirt, express, $100, 2026-10-22

If it enters on the shipping date: the $800 de minimis exemption is suspended. Entry route: ACE informal or formal entry; shipment duty about $29.00.

### China T-shirt, post, $50, 2026-03-01

If it enters on the shipping date: the $800 de minimis exemption is suspended. Entry route: interim postal ad valorem duty; shipment duty about $5.00.

### China T-shirts, bulk import, $3,000, 2026-10-22

If it enters on the shipping date: the $800 de minimis exemption is suspended. Entry route: ACE formal entry; shipment duty about $1,095.00.

## Ask an AI assistant to check

Check this StoreCalc US de minimis result: https://storecalc.com/en/deminimis/
Rules checked: 2026-10-22; scenario date: 2026-10-22; origin: China; route: International post; value: $20.00; product: T-shirts & tank tops; fiber: Cotton.
Result: If it enters on the shipping date: the $800 de minimis exemption is suspended. Entry route: postal informal entry if eligible; shipment duty about $7.30.
Open official sources. Distinguish shipping, entry and declaration dates; check tariff treatment, exceptions, entry eligibility and carrier collection fees. Do not treat the 2027-01-20 compliance extension as restoration of $800 duty-free treatment, or apply current rates to historical dates.
Sources: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/suspending-duty-free-de-minimis-treatment-for-all-countries/
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-12669
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-21600

## Questions

### What was the $800 exemption?

Section 321 allowed eligible goods imported by one person on one day, with aggregate value up to $800, to enter duty-free. It was not an $800 deduction from every shipment. [Official source](https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-12669)

### Why is it unavailable now?

Global suspension began on 2025-08-29. CBP separately codified indefinite postal and non-postal suspensions on 2026-06-24. Ordinary sales do not become exempt just by being below $800. [Official source](https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-12670)

### Can post still use the flat per-package charge?

The original 2025 transition allowed a carrier election, not a seller election per parcel. The 2026-02-24 order replaced it, and the new postal entry process began on 2026-07-24. Old flat charges are not current quotes. [Official source](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/02/continuing-the-suspension-of-duty-free-de-minimis-treatment-for-all-countries/)

### How do post and express differ?

Post has a dedicated informal entry process and eligibility restrictions; express uses an appropriate ACE entry. Neither has the former $800 exemption. Ask the carrier about collection and clearance charges. [Official source](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/suspending-duty-free-de-minimis-treatment-for-all-countries/)

### What does the 2027-01-20 extension mean?

It delays compliance with specified postal formal-entry requirements, including PGA and Chapter 98/99 cases. It does not suspend duty or restore de minimis. [Official source](https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-21600)

### Are Temu / Shein-style direct shipments treated differently?

This checker uses goods' origin, entry date and route, not a platform name. Bulk warehouse imports followed by US deliveries are not separate de minimis imports per order. [Official source](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/suspending-duty-free-de-minimis-treatment-for-all-countries/)

### What about returns or free replacements?

Do not infer de minimis eligibility from a return or a free replacement. Goods returning to the US can involve Chapter 98 and supporting evidence; obtain separate broker review. This tool does not calculate returned-goods relief or refunds. [Official source](https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-12669)

The next page uses current rates. If no product or an unlisted origin is selected, choose them there; its defaults do not describe this shipment. Bulk imports default to air; switch to ocean to include HMF.

## Official source

- [CBP CSMS 67845486 (2026-02-23)](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCBP/bulletins/40b3d6e); Checked 2026-10-22
- [USPS Postal Explorer (2026-07-30)](https://pe.usps.com/FederalRegisterNotice?forYear=2026); Checked 2026-10-22
- [USITC HTS](https://hts.usitc.gov/); Checked 2026-10-22