What You Need to Know About New U.S. Trade Tariffs

The U.S. government has recently introduced several new executive orders that affect shipments being imported into the U.S. These orders include the removal of the de minimis threshold for goods made in China and the introduction of reciprocal tariffs aimed at addressing trade imbalances and supply chain concerns.

But what are tariffs and the de minimis rule?

With the latest changes to U.S. customs regulations, it’s important to understand a few key terms you might come across when shipping. We’ve broken down some of the main ones below for you:

Tariffs are taxes imposed on goods when they’re imported into a country. They help regulate trade, protect domestic industries, and influence the types of goods that are brought in.

Reciprocal tariffs are imposed by one country in response to tariffs introduced by another. They’re used to balance trade and encourage other nations to reduce their own tariffs or trade barriers.

The de minimis rule allows goods valued at up to $800 (USD) per person, per day to enter the U.S. without customs duties or taxes. This threshold applies to most shipments, making it easier and more affordable to send small quantities of goods without the need for complex customs procedures.

Understanding the changes

Among the recent updates, three key changes stand out:

• Cancellation of De Minimis Rule for China-Origin Goods: Previously, goods made in China valued below $800 were exempt from duties under the de minimis rule. Starting 2 May, 2025, goods made in China (including Hong Kong and Macau) will no longer be exempt from duties. The de minimis rule remains unchanged for all other countries for now.
• Reciprocal Tariffs for all Countries: Effective 5 April 2025, the U.S. imposed a tariff of 10% on all imports. Additional tariffs were applied to over 80 countries, exceeding 10%. However, these increased rates are suspended until 9 July 2025, for all countries except China, Hong Kong, and Macau, which remain fully subject to the increased tariffs of up to 125%.
• Lowered Threshold for Informal Entry: The threshold for informal customs clearance has been reduced from $2,500 to $250. This means more shipments will need formal entry, which can lead to longer processing times due to the need for more extensive documentation.

How does this affect you?

Anyone shipping goods made in China, Hong Kong, or Macau to the U.S. will immediately feel the impact, as these products will be subject to tariffs up to 125% (this may change). It's important to note that tariffs are based on the country the goods are made, and not the country the goods are exported from.

For goods made elsewhere, tariffs will apply at a temporary 10% rate while further negotiations are underway. However, the de minimis rule remains in place for now, meaning it’s business as usual for shipments valued under $800 as they will still be exempt from duties.

Another important issue is how major couriers are responding to the new regulations. For instance, DHL temporarily suspended B2C shipments valued over $800 as of 21 April to manage the increased customs procedures. This highlights ongoing challenges within the industry that may impact your ability to send some packages to the U.S. in the short term.

What we've been doing

At Transglobal, we’ve been actively monitoring these changes and staying up to date with the situation. We understand the need to be adaptable and prepared to minimise disruption to our services and customers. As the tariff landscape shifts, we’re reviewing potential impacts and making necessary adjustments to ensure your shipments continue moving smoothly.

As an example of the adjustments we're making, we’re pleased to introduce DDP (Delivered Duties Paid) shipping for all services to the U.S. This option allows you to include the cost of duties in the shipping fee, giving you greater control over managing receiver expectations.

Get help

If you have questions about the changes or need any assistance, contact us. We're here to help.