What Is the U.S. De Minimis Threshold and Why Has It Been Suspended?

For years, one rule shaped how many low-value shipments entered the United States: The U.S. de minimis threshold.

Many imports moved quickly because they fell below a value threshold at which U.S. Customs did not apply duties. That all suddenly changed. Effective Aug 29, 2025, the U.S. government suspended duty-free de minimis treatment for shipments valued at or below $800.

This post explains what the de minimis threshold was, how it worked, and why the U.S. suspended it.

What the U.S. De Minimis Threshold Was

The de minimis threshold allowed specific shipments valued at or below a set amount ($800 USD) to enter the U.S. with reduced duty treatment. In practice, de minimis often meant:

• Simplified clearance
• Fewer formal entry requirements
• Duty-free treatment for many low-value imports

This is why small shipments often move differently from larger commercial imports.

Why De Minimis Mattered So Much

De minimis shaped importing because it affected:

• Whether the duties applied
• How much paperwork customs requires
• How quickly shipments cleared
• Total landed cost expectations

Many businesses built logistics and ecommerce models around this rule.

What Changed: The U.S. Suspended Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment

The U.S. suspended duty-free de minimis treatment effective August 29, 2025.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that goods valued at $800 or less will no longer automatically receive de minimis duty-free entry and will instead be subject to applicable duties, taxes, and fees. These shipments must now be processed using an appropriate entry type (formal or informal clearance) in CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).

This shift affects a massive volume of shipments that previously cleared under simplified treatment.

How Have Postal Shipments Been Impacted?

The suspension also applies to postal imports. Under the updated CBP guidance, low-value postal shipments are now subject to International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs and no longer move duty-free. Duties may be assessed using one of two methods:

• An ad valorem duty based on the applicable tariff rate and the declared value of the product, or
• A specific per-item duty ranging from $80 to $200, depending on the country-of-origin tariff rate.

CBP has indicated that the specific duty option will only be available temporarily. Beginning February 28, 2026, postal shipments must use the ad valorem method.

Why the US Suspended De Minimis Treatment

The suspension reflects growing concern about:

• Tariff and duty evasion through low-value shipments
• Misclassification and undervaluation
• Increased enforcement needs at scale
• The rise of high-volume cross-border parcel imports

The White House specifically cited risks of deception and evasion in low-value imports as a driver of the suspension.

What the Suspension Means for Importers

With de minimis suspended:

• More shipments face duty assessment
• Classification matters even more
• Low value does not mean low compliance
• Documentation requirements increase
• Unexpected charges become more common

Many shipments that once cleared automatically now require a deeper customs review. Importers should also expect more formal entry filings, increased broker involvement, and less predictability for parcel shipments that previously moved duty-free.

Why Classification Matters More Than Ever

De minimis often reduces duty visibility. The suspension shifts focus back to:

• Correct HTS classification
• Accurate product descriptions
• Proper valuation support
• Clear importer responsibility

Classification drives duty rates. Errors now create immediate cost and clearance consequences.

The Most Important Takeaway

The U.S. de minimis threshold once simplified the treatment of low-value imports.

The suspension changes the landscape.

Importers need to feel confident in their compliance efforts. Adapting to stronger classification and documentation requirements ensures smoother shipments and reduces surprises.

In short, low-value no longer means low-friction, and importers should plan for duties, documentation, and compliance upfront.

Want to Estimate Duties Now That De Minimis Has Changed?

With more shipments subject to duties, understanding costs upfront matters more than ever.

Understanding costs upfront is crucial. Using BorderBuddy's calculator empowers importers to confidently estimate duties, taxes, and fees before shipments reach the border.

BorderBuddy’s calculator also uses AI to help classify goods under the correct HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule), which determines duty rates on U.S. imports.

What to Read Next

People adjusting to the end of de minimis treatment often ask next:

• Formal entry vs informal entry into the U.S
• Do I need a customs broker to import into the U.S.?
• What documents are required for U.S. customs clearance?
• What happens if U.S. customs inspects your shipment?

Still Need Help With Your Import?

If you still didn’t find what you were looking for, BorderBuddy is here to help.

• Call us at 1 (877) 409-8163
• Or email us anytime at service@borderbuddy.com

Our team can help you get clear answers and avoid delays at the border.