Popular e-commerce companies, including giants Shein and Temu, use the so-called “de minimis” exemption to ship tens of millions of packages — everything from end tables and lamps to shoes and underwear — to U.S. consumers every year.

So long as each individual package is worth $800 or less, they aren’t required to pay import fees or go through typical customs inspections. But under an executive order signed by Trump Wednesday, that loophole will close on May 2.

These lower-value shipments will now face a tariff of 30% of the “value of the postal item containing goods for merchandise” with a minimum fee that will eventually rise to $50.

There goes AliExpress’ business model …

  • @jarfil@beehaw.org
    4•1 month ago

    In the EU, they forced them to charge VAT.

    That effectively closed the “de minimis” loophole for larger sellers, and made AliExpress and friends open local distribution centers where they ship stuff in bulk, get it taxed in bulk, then forward it via local logistics. It’s made new logistics providers pop up, including low cost solutions like delivery to affiliate shops, while offloading national posts.

    The rest, like random eBay sellers, can still mark stuff as “sample” or “gift” to bypass any taxes or tariffs, but anything “too big”, risks getting stopped at customs like in the old days.