Effective date: August 29, 2025 (12:01 am ET)
The United States has suspended duty-free de minimis treatment under 19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2)(C) for low-value imports from all countries.
Most shipments that previously entered duty-free at ≤ $800 USD are now dutiable and must meet full admissibility requirements.
For more background and an overview of the steps ecommerce businesses can take to adapt to these market changes, see our advisory blog post.
As of August 29, 2025, the United States no longer offers duty-free treatment on imports valued under $800 USD. This document explains what changed, why it matters for your store, and how you can adapt your WooCommerce operations to comply with the new requirements.
What changed
↑ Back to topAn executive order signed on July 30, 2025, suspended the de minimis exemption that previously allowed packages valued at $800 USD or less to enter the US duty-free. As of August 29, 2025, all packages shipped to the US — regardless of size or cost — are now potentially subject to customs duties.
Why it matters
↑ Back to topThe suspension of the de minimis exemption affects international sellers, US-based importers, postal carriers, and customers. Here are the key impacts to consider:
- In 2024 alone, over 1.36 billion shipments to the US used the de minimis exemption. These changes are likely to add cost and administrative overhead for future shipments.
- Many postal services (such as Royal Mail, Deutsche Post, and Australia Post) have temporarily paused shipments to the US while they adjust their processes.
- Private carriers, including UPS and DHL Express, continue normal operations. Their shipments are also subject to new duties, but they have systems in place to manage customs clearance.
- Longer customs processing times are expected, which may cause delayed deliveries.
- As a store owner, you may need to adjust your operations to manage your customers’ expectations and control your costs.
How duties work now
↑ Back to topDuties apply differently depending on how you ship. The following list explains the two main shipment types and the duty payment options available to you.
- Non-postal (courier/freight) shipments: These must go through customs entry — duties, taxes, and fees apply. You can structure your shipping terms so that either you cover these costs or your customer pays them on delivery.
- Delivered Duty Paid (DDP): You collect and pay all duties, taxes, and fees for the shipment upfront. Your customer sees the full landed cost at checkout and does not face surprise charges on delivery.
- Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU): You ship the order without covering duties or taxes. The customer pays these charges on arrival, which can cause delays, extra costs, or a poor customer experience.
- Postal shipments: Once postal services adjust their workflows and resume US deliveries, you should expect higher postage costs. Postal carriers must now pre-collect US duties at the point of shipping and bundle those charges into the label price.
How to adapt your WooCommerce store
↑ Back to topAdapt your store if you ship to the US
↑ Back to topIf you ship products to the US from another country, consider the following steps to stay compliant and keep your customers informed.
- Switch to DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Show duty and tax estimates at checkout so your customers see and pay the full landed cost upfront. The following extensions can help you calculate duties and manage shipping:
- Use Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes: Assign HTS codes, product values, and country of origin to your products for accurate duty calculations. The following extensions support HTS compliance:
- Communicate clearly with customers: Let customers know upfront that international shipping to the US now includes customs duties and may take longer than usual.
US-based stores
↑ Back to topIf you operate a US-based store that imports inventory from abroad, these changes may affect your supply chain costs and delivery timelines.
- Be transparent about changes: If you import inventory from abroad, inform your customers about any delays or cost increases resulting from the new tariff rules. Clear communication helps maintain trust.
- Review your pricing and marketing: Review your pricing and marketing to reflect any changes in your cost structure resulting from new import duties.
- Recommended marketing tools for responding to new tariffs: