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Low-value items coming into the US will face new charges that could fall on customers

The U.S. is imposing new import charges on low-value items, ending their duty-free status, which may lead to logistical challenges and economic uncertainty.

Low-value items coming into the US will face new charges that could fall on customers

The U.S. is imposing new import charges on low-value items, ending their duty-free status, which may lead to logistical challenges and economic uncertainty.

When you're shopping online today, you may want to pay extra attention to where these items are coming from. That's because these low imports are losing their duty-free status, also known as the de minimis exemption. Before today, there was no tariff on items $800 or less coming into the US. Now the United States will charge carriers *** flat fee or the US tariff rate on that country. According to the US. Border Patrol Agency 1.36 billion packages were sent in 2024 under the exemption for goods worth about $64 billion. The changes in an effort by President Trump to make the US less dependent on foreign goods, something an economist we spoke with says could give businesses and consumers *** headache. The way that we're doing it is creating chaos and Certainty. This is not good for business. It's not good for workers either. We're going to slow economic growth and we're not ultimately going to solve the problems that we have. We're hearing about logistical challenges. Some international mail and postal services are canceling shipments to the United States to try to deal with these changes at the White House, I'm Rachel Herzheimer.
Washington News Bureau logo
Updated: 6:47 AM CDT Aug 29, 2025
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Low-value items coming into the US will face new charges that could fall on customers

The U.S. is imposing new import charges on low-value items, ending their duty-free status, which may lead to logistical challenges and economic uncertainty.

Washington News Bureau logo
Updated: 6:47 AM CDT Aug 29, 2025
Editorial Standards
Low-value items coming into the U.S. will now face additional import charges, ending their duty-free status under the "de minimis exception."Previously, items valued at $800 or less entering the U.S. were exempt from tariffs. Now, the U.S. will impose either a flat fee or the standard tariff rate on these items based on their country of origin. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Agency, 1.36 billion packages were sent in 2024 under this exemption, representing goods worth $64.6 billion. This change is part of an effort by President Donald Trump to reduce U.S. dependency on foreign goods, a move that some experts believe could create challenges for businesses and consumers."The way that we're doing it is creating chaos and uncertainty," said Adam Hersh, senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute. "This is not good for business. It's not good for workers either. We're going to slow economic growth, and we're not ultimately going to solve the problems that we have."Logistical challenges are already emerging, with some international mail and postal services canceling shipments to the United States until they can adapt to the changes.Consumers will have to look out for certain keywords while ordering items online. Experts recommend paying close attention to orders that say, "delivered duty unpaid." Check to see if there's a shipping note as well to determine the country of origin.

Low-value items coming into the U.S. will now face additional import charges, ending their duty-free status under the "de minimis exception."

Previously, items valued at $800 or less entering the U.S. were exempt from tariffs. Now, the based on their country of origin.

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According to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Agency, , representing goods worth $64.6 billion.

This change is part of an effort by President Donald Trump to reduce U.S. dependency on foreign goods, a move that some experts believe could create challenges for businesses and consumers.

"The way that we're doing it is creating chaos and uncertainty," said , senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute. "This is not good for business. It's not good for workers either. We're going to slow economic growth, and we're not ultimately going to solve the problems that we have."

Logistical challenges are already emerging, with some international mail and postal services canceling shipments to the United States until they can adapt to the changes.

Consumers will have to look out for certain keywords while ordering items online.

Experts recommend paying close attention to orders that say, "delivered duty unpaid." Check to see if there's a shipping note as well to determine the country of origin.