# Duty-free de minimis suspension continues

https://storecalc.com/en/updates/de-minimis-continued.html

- Topic: Small parcels
- Published: 2026-02-23
- Effective: 2026-02-24
- Checked: 2026-10-23

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

- 2026-02-23: Published
- 2026-02-24: The notice’s temporary measures apply to entries for consumption or warehouse withdrawals from 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time
- 2026-10-23: 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

Historical scenario: a $20 postal parcel on February 24 (illustrative, using the de minimis checker)

| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Declared shipment value | $20.00 |
| Interim postal rate then | 10% |
| Duty | $20 × 10% = $2.00 |

Assumes an ordinary Chinese cotton T-shirt otherwise eligible for de minimis, shipped and entered/declared on February 24, 2026 after the Eastern-time effective cutoff, with no special restrictions. This calculates only the historical interim postal duty, without adding current general or Section 301 rates or including freight and service charges. The historical 10% is not today’s quote rate.

[Recalculate in the US de minimis checker](https://storecalc.com/en/deminimis/?o=china&mode=postal&value=20&item=t-shirt&fiber=cotton&ship=2026-02-24&entry=2026-02-24)

## 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

Quoted from the official text.

> 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.

— [CSMS # 67845486 - Continuing the Suspension of Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCBP/bulletins/40b3d6e)

> 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.

— [CSMS # 67845486 - Continuing the Suspension of Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCBP/bulletins/40b3d6e)

## Sources

- [CSMS # 67845486 - Continuing the Suspension of Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCBP/bulletins/40b3d6e)

We checked the official text on 2026-10-23. Rules can change again; the latest official publication prevails.

## Related updates

- [Supreme Court rules IEEPA does not authorize tariffs](https://storecalc.com/en/updates/ieepa-ruling.html)
- [Nonpostal de minimis suspension enters regulations](https://storecalc.com/en/updates/de-minimis-nonpostal-rule.html)
- [New informal entry process for international mail](https://storecalc.com/en/updates/de-minimis-postal-rule.html)
- [Postal Type 13 test: entries accepted without complete partner-agency data for now](https://storecalc.com/en/updates/postal-type13-pga-transition.html)