Duty-free de minimis suspension continues
CBP confirmed the continuing suspension for all origins: an ordinary apparel parcel is not duty-free merely because its value is $800 or less. Postal and nonpostal entry routes differ; temporary rates in this historical notice are not today’s rates.
Our read
Ordinary commercial parcels can no longer be priced on “under $800 is duty-free”. If you ship direct, build duty and clearance fees into your price or shipping charge, and check each route and ship date in the de minimis tool. The temporary rates in this February notice are not today's rates.
Key dates
- Published
- The notice’s temporary measures apply to entries for consumption or warehouse withdrawals from 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time
- We checked the official text
Who is affected
- Sellers sending ordinary commercial parcels from any origin to the US who previously relied on the $800 exemption still need to budget applicable duties.
- Both international mail and commercial express are covered, but filing and duty collection differ. The interim postal method does not automatically apply to express shipments.
- The notice identifies exceptions for certain donations, informational materials and accompanied personal baggage. Relabeling an ordinary apparel sale as a gift does not establish eligibility.
Run the numbers
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Declared shipment value | $20.00 |
| Interim postal rate then | 10% |
| Duty | $20 × 10% = $2.00 |
What to do
- Remove an assumed under-$800 exemption from logistics quotes and obtain the entry route and duty-collection arrangement in writing.
- Check the actual entry or declaration date. Reconcile February shipments under the rules that applied then rather than applying today’s rates retroactively.
- For current shipments, review the subsequent postal and nonpostal rules and separate duty, government processing fees and carrier collection charges.
What the official text says
The processes currently in place to file entry and collect duties on shipments that previously qualified for de minimis treatment, including those entering through international mail, will remain in place.
Carriers or qualified parties acting on their behalf will continue to collect and remit duties on international mail shipments using the processes currently in place.