USA - De Minimis Exemption Suspended

On 30 July 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) suspending the 'de minimis' exemption for commercial shipments globally.  This change, set to take effect from 29 August 2025, will have implications for UK exporters, particularly Small and Medium-sized EnterpriseS (SMEs) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) sellers.  That is, the US has suspended the 'de minimis' exemption for all low-value commercial shipments, including those from the UK, effectively ending the previous $800 threshold.  This means that for goods from the UK entering the US, even those valued under $800, will now face tariffs and duties starting on 29 August 2025.

The UK Government is in close contact with their US counterparts to understand the details around the implementation of the new global rules, so they can stand ready to support businesses in the UK.  In the meantime, UK businesses are encouraged to visit:

• The Export Academy’s 'Gateway USA' series which is looking to include content related to the new rules in the coming weeks.  Companies are advised to sign up to these sessions;

• The US page on business.gov.uk which will be updated as soon as further information becomes available. 

As a bit of background, in the US, ‘de minimis’ relates to an administration exemption to admit duty- and tax-free shipments of merchandise imported by one person on one day having an aggregate faire retail value in the country of shipment of not more than $800 (see the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Website on Common Entry Types for further details).