On April 2, 2025, the White House announced an end to de minimis duty exemptions for goods from China and Hong Kong, effective May 2 at 12:01 a.m. The decision, outlined in a fact sheet, is part of a broader effort to combat the role of Chinese-sourced goods and e-commerce channels in the flow of synthetic opioids into the United States.
Under the new policy, all shipments from China and Hong Kong—regardless of value—will be subject to standard Customs procedures. This includes declaring tariff classification codes, paying all applicable duties, posting a bond to guarantee payment, and remitting duties to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on a regular schedule.
To reduce risk of transshipment and evasion, all ad valorem rates of duty imposed by this order with respect to articles of China will apply equally to articles from both Hong Kong and Macau.
For shipments valued at or under $800 that would have qualified for the de minimis exemption, importers are now required to use an appropriate entry type in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). All relevant duties must be paid in accordance with standard entry and payment procedures.
POSTAL CARRIER ROLE IN DUTY REMITTANCE
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is authorized to require carriers transporting international postal packages into the U.S. to remit collected duties either monthly or on another schedule determined by CBP. The agency may also issue regulations or guidance to support implementation and enforcement.
POSTAL CARRIER REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
All carriers involved in transporting international postal items from the PRC or Hong Kong must:
- Report the total number of packages and, if applicable, the value of each item when using a value-based duty.
- Submit data in the timeframe and format specified by CBP, potentially through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).
- Provide documentation to verify item counts and values when required.
DE MINIMUS DUTY RATES FOR POSTAL PACKAGES
Carriers must choose one of two methods for calculating and collecting duties on postal shipments from the PRC or Hong Kong, and apply it consistently across all shipments:
- Ad Valorem Duty: 30% of the declared value of each postal item, effective May 2, 2025.
- Specific Duty:
- $25 per item for goods arriving between May 2 and May 31, 2025
- $50 per item for goods arriving on or after June 1, 2025
Carriers may switch methods once a month (or at another frequency determined by CBP) with 24-hour prior notice.
BOND REQUIREMENT FOR POSTAL CARRIERS
Carriers transporting postal items with goods from the PRC or Hong Kong into the U.S. must hold an international carrier bond to ensure payment of the applicable duties. CBP will determine and enforce the sufficiency of these bonds to cover duty liabilities.
Notably, certain cultural and informational products—such as books, films, photographs, compact discs, vinyl records, and artwork—remain exempt from these changes under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs.
EXECUTIVE ORDER: Further Amendment to Duties Addressing the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China as Applied to Low-Value Imports
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