After the $800 duty-free exemption was abolished, small parcels no longer clear customs duty-free. Choosing the right clearance method and shipping rhythm is the only way to minimise the impact.
What changed
From 29 August 2025, the US abolished de minimis duty-free treatment for most countries.
On 24 June 2026, CBP issued an interim final rule indefinitely removing duty-free treatment for goods valued at $800 or less via non-postal channels, which must go through formal or informal entry.
International mail follows a separate process: Entry Type 13 mail informal entry takes effect on 24 July 2026, with voluntary electronic testing starting on 22 September 2026.
From 22 October 2026, certain categories (HTSUS Chapters 98/99, free trade agreement preferences, and goods regulated by partner government agencies, PGA) will no longer be eligible for the simplified mail process.
Non-postal and postal: completely different clearance methods
| Channel | Clearance method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean / air / land / express (non-postal) | Formal or informal entry | No longer duty-free at $800 or less |
| International mail | Entry Type 13 mail informal entry | Effective 2026-07-24, then electronic testing |
Whether you ship by express or by mail determines which process applies — the two cannot be mixed.
How to use the $2,500 line
For $2,500 or less, informal entry may generally be used, with relatively simplified procedures.
Above $2,500, or where goods involve quotas or anti-dumping/countervailing duties, formal entry is required.
When consolidating small parcels, which side of the line a single shipment's value falls on directly affects the clearance method and transit time.
How to ship small parcels more reliably
Declare cargo value and product name truthfully — under-declaration, if discovered, leads to cargo seizure and fines.
When splitting shipments, consider the value per shipment — don't merge multiple shipments into one high-value shipment just for convenience.
Before choosing a channel, ask clearly: does this lane go by mail or non-postal, and which clearance method does it support?
How to arrange the First Leg
For large First Leg volumes, use ocean or Truck Delivery and prepare documents for formal entry.
Include tariff costs in landed cost — don't look only at freight.
Clearance queues get longer in peak season, so build in extra lead time.
How big is the impact
A Universal Postal Union (UPU) report shows that parcel volumes to the US in September 2025 fell 70.3% year on year, indicating that both the cost and the threshold for the small-parcel route are rising.
For sellers, ship in bulk wherever possible and reduce single-piece small parcels.
How sellers should adapt
Treat "clearance on every order" as the norm, not the exception.
In product selection, prioritise high-value categories that can absorb tariff costs; low-value, low-margin small parcels need to be recalculated.
In shipping, use bulk First Leg wherever possible instead of single-piece small parcels.
In pricing, include tariffs and clearance fees in the selling price — don't wait until cargo is seized to raise prices.
China's official position
China's Ministry of Commerce states that the US unilateral tariff increases violate World Trade Organization rules and harm the interests of businesses and consumers in both China and the United States. China firmly opposes them and will take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
Policy changes are frequent; specifics are subject to the latest official announcement.
