Did US De Minimis Rules Change in 2026? Analysis for Exporters

US de minimis rules did not change in 2026; the actual radical change occurred in 2025. First, the US removed the $800 customs exemption for shipments originating from China and Hong Kong, and subsequently for all countries. Entering 2026, this exemption is still not valid, and exporters shipping from Turkey to the US pay customs duty for every package.

Quick Summary

• Exemption abolished: The US abolished the $800 de minimis customs exemption for shipments originating from China and Hong Kong starting May 2, 2025, and for all countries starting August 29, 2025.

• No new rule in 2026: As of 2026, there is no official regulation reinstating the exemption; the current situation is a continuation of the 2025 decision.

• Every package is subject to tax: Regardless of value, all commercial shipments entering the US require a customs declaration and tax payment.

• Exporter costs increased: For Turkish sellers exporting small packages, an additional customs duty and documentation burden has arisen per shipment.

• Calculation tools gained importance: Calculating the tax amount prior to shipment has become crucial for pricing and profit margin planning.

Executive orders that went into effect in 2025 changed how the US views small package imports. This analysis covers the background of the change, the current situation as of 2026, and the concrete impacts faced by exporters.

Table of Contents

1. Reasons triggering this change

2. Key developments in the 2025-2026 period

- Early implementation for China and Hong Kong

- Removal of the global exemption

- Transition period for postal shipments

- Shift in customs declaration obligation

3. Data and signals

4. Impacts by sector

- E-commerce sellers

- Cargo and logistics companies

- Consumers

- Marketplace integrators

5. Possible scenarios after 2026

6. Background of the de minimis rule

7. Frequently asked questions

Reasons triggering this change

The US administration justified the decision to remove the de minimis exemption on three grounds: the volume of low-value e-commerce packages getting out of hand, efforts to prevent counterfeit products and contraband entry, and domestic retailers falling at a disadvantage against duty-free competitors. The executive orders published in 2025 directly referenced these justifications.

The change did not go through the regular legislative process. The administration used the IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act) to administratively suspend the exemption. This means the rule could be changed quickly without requiring congressional approval.

The $800 threshold had been raised from $200 by the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, which took effect in 2016. Having remained fixed for nine years, this threshold was effectively zeroed by the 2025 decision.

Key developments in the 2025-2026 period

Early implementation for China and Hong Kong

The US first removed the de minimis exemption for shipments originating from China and Hong Kong. The implementation started on May 2, 2025, making packages under $800 from these countries subject to customs duties as well.

Removal of the global exemption

The same decision became valid for all countries starting August 29, 2025. Shipments from no country, including Turkey, can benefit from the $800 threshold anymore.

Transition period for postal shipments

The CBP (US Customs and Border Protection) defined a short-term transition process for shipments arriving via mail. During this period, carriers were able to declare based on a flat rate instead of a product-by-product tax calculation; this was an intermediate step allowed for systems to adjust to full customs declarations.

Shift in customs declaration obligation

Regardless of value, a formal customs declaration and HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code reporting became mandatory for every shipment. Previously applied only to high-value shipments, this process now extends to low-value e-commerce packages.

Data and signals

• According to CBP statements, approximately 4 million de minimis shipments were entering the US daily before the exemption was removed.

• Starting from 2015, the annual volume of de minimis shipments increased from 140 million packages to over 1 billion.

• After the change, signals of a slowdown in small package volume, especially from China-based platforms, were reported.

• Logistics companies reported extended delivery times on some routes due to additional steps in the customs declaration process.

• The shipping cost per exporter increased by varying rates depending on the product category and country of origin.

Impacts by sector

E-commerce sellers

E-commerce sellers exporting small packages now have to calculate customs duty for every order. Sellers who do not add the tax share to the product price face a loss in profit margins.

Cargo and logistics companies

Carrier companies have updated their systems to automate the customs declaration process. Tools like Calculate US Customs Duty make it possible to estimate taxes before shipping.

Consumers

Buyers in the US have started paying additional customs duties on products they order from abroad. This situation significantly affects the final cost, especially for low-priced items.

Marketplace integrators

Exporters selling through platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay have started seeing the customs duty calculation step on their integration panels. Customs declaration is now a standard step in Amazon International Shipping, Etsy International Shipping, and eBay International Shipping processes.

For exporters to adapt to this process, pre-shipment tax calculation and correct documentation are required. You can compare shipping options to the US on the Shipping to America page, and manage the process from start to finish with e-export logistics services. To get a shipping quote, get a quote now.

Possible scenarios after 2026

The evaluations in this section are predictive in nature and not based on any official decision. Bills proposing a partial reinstatement of the exemption might be under discussion in Congress, but as of 2026, no change has come into effect.

Lawsuits challenging the legal basis of the executive order may be ongoing in courts; the outcome could influence the form of the exemption. It is within the realm of possibility for CBP to convert transitional practices into a permanent flat-rate model, but no official announcement has been made regarding this.

The practical implication for exporters is this: as long as the current rule continues, tax calculation and declaration are required for every shipment. Even if a change occurs, the transition period is expected to be short.

Background of the de minimis rule

The De minimis rule is a regulation in US customs law defined under Section 321 (Tariff Act of 1930) that exempts shipments under a certain value from customs duties and formal entry. The threshold was first set at $5 in 1938 and raised several times over the years.

The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, which took effect in 2016, raised the threshold from $200 to $800, and this amount remained fixed until the changes in 2025. The purpose of the rule was to reduce the processing burden of the customs administration for low-value shipments.

While the $800 exemption was in force, importer identity declarations, HTS code reporting, or tax payments were not required for packages falling below this amount. This structure contributed to the rapid growth of international platforms selling low-priced products; with the removal of the exemption, this advantage is no longer valid.

Frequently asked questions

Has the US de minimis exemption been completely removed?

Yes, the US removed the $800 de minimis customs exemption for all countries starting August 29, 2025. After this date, every commercial shipment, regardless of its value, is subject to customs declaration and tax.

Was there a new change in the de minimis rule in 2026?

As of 2026, there is no official regulation reinstating the exemption or changing the rule. The current situation is a continuation of the removal decision made in 2025.

Are packages sent from Turkey to the US affected by this change?

Yes, since there is no country-of-origin distinction, packages sent from Turkey also cannot benefit from the $800 threshold. Customs duty must be calculated and declared for every shipment.

Is it possible to calculate the customs duty amount prior to shipment?

Yes, an estimated tax amount can be calculated before shipping based on the product category and value. Navlungo's Calculate US Customs Duty tool allows you to see this calculation before shipping.

Is Section 321 still a valid rule?

Section 321 legally remains in US customs law, but the application of the $800 exemption was suspended by the 2025 executive orders. Although the legal framework persists, the actual practice is different.

How did the removal of the exemption affect the costs of e-commerce exporters?

Exporters now pay customs duties for every US shipment and have to reflect this amount in product prices or profit margins. Additionally, the burden of documentation and processes required for customs declarations has increased.