The de minimis exemption allowing packages valued under $800 to enter the United States duty-free is expiring, affecting 1.36 billion packages valued at $64.6 billion in 2024. Multiple European postal operators have suspended or will suspend shipments to the U.S. while awaiting clarity on new import duties and collection procedures. DHL cited unresolved questions about who will collect duties, what additional data will be required, and how data transmission to U.S. Customs will occur, and stopped accepting business parcels bound for the U.S. A U.S.-EU trade framework sets a 15% tariff on most EU-origin products, and the U.K. will apply a 10% duty on items over $100.
The exemption, known as the "de minimis" exemption, allows packages worth less than $800 to come into the U.S. duty free. A total of 1.36 billion packages were sent in 2024 under this exemption, for goods worth $64.6 billion, according to data from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Agency.It is set to expire on Friday. On Saturday, postal services around Europe announced that they are suspending the shipment of many packages to the United States amid confusion over new import duties.
"Key questions remain unresolved, particularly regarding how and by whom customs duties will be collected in the future, what additional data will be required, and how the data transmission to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be carried out," DHL, the largest shipping provider in Europe, said in a statement.The company said starting Saturday it "will no longer be able to accept and transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers destined for the US."
Postal services in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Italy said they will stop shipping most merchandise to the U.S. effective immediately. France and Austria will follow on Monday.The U.K.'s Royal Mail said it would halt shipments to the U.S. on Tuesday to allow time for those packages to arrive before duties kick in. Items originating in the United Kingdom worth over $100 - including gifts to friends and family - will incur a 10% duty, it said.
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