US
general
Effective 2025-05-02US executive order tightens Section 321 de minimis for Chinese-origin parcels
From 2 May 2025, parcels from China and Hong Kong valued at USD 800 or less may no longer enter the United States under Section 321 informal entry. They are subject to applicable duties, including Section 301 tariffs.
Presidential Executive Order of 2 February 2025 directed CBP to end the de minimis treatment for goods of Chinese or Hong Kong origin entering the US under Section 321(a)(2)(C). Implementation began 2 May 2025. Practical effects:
- Each parcel needs a formal or informal entry with duties calculated on the actual value
- Cross-border ecommerce volumes from Chinese sellers via Temu, Shein, Aliexpress facing tariff exposure
- Drop-shipping models with US fulfilment relabelling face heightened scrutiny
- Bilateral postal flows shifted to commercial carrier flows for compliance
Other origins continue to enjoy USD 800 de minimis. Sellers should evaluate FTZ, bonded warehouse, and bulk-clearance models.