Yes, the U.S. ended de minimis duty-free treatment for covered imports—but the change is not limited to China, and it does not impose one flat tariff on every shipment. Effective August 29, 2025, covered goods lost the exemption regardless of value, country of origin, transportation mode, or method of entry. A February 20, 2026 executive order continued the suspension. For online sellers, the practical result is that qualifying low-value shipments may now require customs entry and payment of applicable duties and other charges.
What changed—and when did the de minimis exemption end?
Executive Order 14324, issued July 30, 2025, suspended de minimis treatment for covered shipments effective August 29, 2025. It applies to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after that date. Executive Order 14388, issued February 20, 2026, continued the suspension.
The July order says the exemption under 19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2)(C) “shall no longer apply to any shipment of articles not covered by 50 U.S.C. 1702(b), regardless of value, country of origin, mode of transportation, or method of entry.” The reference to articles covered by 50 U.S.C. 1702(b) is an exception in the order; the rule should not be described as applying to every conceivable shipment without qualification.
Is this a China tariff, or a broader import rule?
It is a broader U.S. import rule that affects covered goods from China as well as covered goods from other countries. China-origin products can also be subject to China-specific tariff measures, but those measures are distinct from the end of de minimis treatment. The two should not be collapsed into a single “China tariff” rate.
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| Shipment factor | What the rule establishes |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | The de minimis suspension is not China-only; covered articles are addressed regardless of origin. |
| Value | Covered shipments do not retain de minimis treatment simply because their value is low. |
| Transportation and entry method | The general suspension covers shipments regardless of mode or method of entry, while postal shipments have separate provisions. |
| Product and shipment details | The orders do not establish a universal total duty rate for every product. Applicable duties and charges depend on the merchandise and shipment circumstances. |
What happens to low-value imports from China?
A covered low-value product shipped from China can no longer rely on the de minimis exemption for an entry on or after August 29, 2025. That does not mean every such shipment incurs the same amount. The duty calculation may depend on product classification and other shipment facts, and any additional China-specific measures must be considered separately under the rules in effect for the product and entry date.
Earlier China measures are not a reliable shortcut for calculating a current bill. An April 8, 2025 order addressed de minimis treatment for specified products of China and Hong Kong for entries from May 2, 2025. Later orders changed tariff measures: an August 11, 2025 order described a 90-day suspension of China reciprocal tariff rates then due to expire August 12, and a November 2025 order described a 10% additional ad valorem rate on China articles under the modification then in effect. Those dated provisions do not establish the total current rate for an arbitrary product in October 2026.
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How postal shipments differ from other shipments
International postal shipments are handled under separate provisions in the orders. Do not assume that the entry procedure or duty treatment described for non-postal shipments applies unchanged to mail. The February 20, 2026 order describes postal duty treatment, but the orders cited here do not establish a single postal charge that can be applied to every item. Sellers need the current postal rules that apply to the particular shipment.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What online sellers need to do
For covered non-postal shipments, the July order calls for an appropriate entry filed in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) by a party qualified to make the entry. It also makes shipments subject to applicable duties, taxes, fees, exactions, and charges. The orders do not prescribe one entry type or one cost for every product, so sellers should not use the former low-value exemption as a substitute for shipment-specific customs planning.
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- Identify the merchandise and origin. Gather an accurate product description and the facts needed to determine its customs classification and country of origin.
- Record shipment details. Confirm value, shipping mode (including whether it travels through the international postal network), and the expected entry date.
- Determine the applicable treatment. Check the current tariff and customs rules for the product and shipment, including any China-specific measure that applies separately from de minimis eligibility.
- Arrange the entry and payment process. For a covered non-postal shipment, coordinate with a party qualified to file the appropriate ACE entry and plan for applicable duties and other charges. For postal shipments, confirm the separate postal provisions.
These details are necessary for a landed-cost estimate; the policy orders alone do not provide a shipment-specific customs determination. Sellers handling recurring imports may need advice from a qualified customs broker or import-compliance specialist.
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How to read the policy timeline
- April 8, 2025: A China-specific order addressed de minimis treatment for specified products of China and Hong Kong, with the change set for entries on or after May 2, 2025.
- July 30, 2025: Executive Order 14324 established the all-country suspension, effective August 29, 2025, with distinct provisions for postal shipments and other shipments.
- August 11, 2025: A China reciprocal-tariff order described a 90-day suspension that was then scheduled to expire August 12, 2025; that historical date does not state the current rate.
- November 2025: A later order described a 10% additional ad valorem rate on China articles under the modification then in force. It is a historical policy term, not a current all-in rate for all China imports.
- February 20, 2026: Executive Order 14388 continued the de minimis suspension and addressed international postal shipments separately.
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