US de minimis suspension: what it means for ecommerce parcels from China
Since 29 August 2025, low-value parcels into the United States no longer enter duty-free under de minimis. Duty can apply to every parcel and is quoted separately from logistics. Here is how to plan China direct and US warehouse shipping.
What is the short answer?
The duty-free de minimis exemption for low-value shipments into the United States was suspended for covered shipments from 29 August 2025 under Executive Order 14324. A low-value ecommerce parcel can now carry customs duty. Duty depends on the product's classification, its country of origin and the tariffs in force, and it is quoted separately from logistics. This note was reviewed on 11 October 2026. Rules change; the formal quote and the official sources below take precedence over this summary.
What exactly changed?
Before the suspension, most shipments valued at USD 800 or less could enter without duty. The executive order suspended that treatment for covered shipments, and US Customs and Border Protection published implementing guidance. Later notices may adjust how the rule is implemented, so check the current position before you set prices.
Who pays the duty?
Someone has to pay it before or at delivery. If the parcel ships with duty paid, the seller or its partner pays and the customer receives the parcel without a charge. If it does not, the customer may be asked to pay duty and a collection fee before delivery, which causes refused parcels and complaints. For a consumer brand, deciding this up front is the most important step.
What does this mean on a ShopRest route?
The US route page shows the China-direct logistics price in USD, with fuel included. Duty is not inside that figure. When it applies, the formal quote lists the duty, who pays it and any payment-service fee on separate lines. On supported routes, ShopRest can coordinate duty payment or advance payment through the appointed declaration partner. US warehouse fulfilment is a separate option with its own price per warehouse.
Worked example: one garment to New York
One apparel item, 0.2 kg. China direct apparel economy has a reference logistics price of USD 7.41 and a reference transit of 6–12 working days; at 0.5 kg it is USD 12.11 and at 1 kg USD 19.58. From US warehouse stock, the cheapest local 7-day service starts at USD 5.62 at 0.2 kg and USD 6.99 at 1 kg, with fuel and replenishment extra. Duty is added to the China-direct parcel when it applies; for stock in a US warehouse it is paid once when the bulk shipment is imported. These are reference prices at 1 USD = 6.69 RMB, not a formal quote.
When does a US warehouse make sense?
For steady sellers and heavier parcels, the numbers above favour US stock quickly: the local price rises slowly with weight, while China direct rises with every band. Duty is handled once on the bulk import instead of per parcel. The trade-off is stock you buy and ship in advance.
When does China direct still make sense?
For new products, long-tail sizes and colours, and stock shared across several countries. You pay more per parcel and duty may apply per parcel, but you avoid holding US inventory that may not sell.
What should I check before shipping to the US?
Confirm the HTS classification and the country of origin for each product, because duty depends on both. Decide whether parcels ship duty paid. Make sure the declared value matches the sale. Check the current tariff position for your products with a licensed customs broker, because rates have changed often.
Sources
The US Federal Register notice of 2 September 2025 implementing Executive Order 14324, linked below.