The US will suspend the de minimis exemption for low-value imports, under $800, for all countries of origin from the end of August, potentially affecting peak season results.
President Trump signed a new executive order on 30 July that will go into effect on 29 August.
Flexport pointed out that these changes have key implications for supply chain operations.
Postal shipments will face $80–$200/item duties for the first six months; afterward, full ad valorem IEEPA tariffs apply based on country of origin.
Low-value goods shipped through means other than the international postal system will be subject to all applicable duties immediately.
De minimis treatment was previously revoked for Chinese-origin goods on 2 May, and permanently repealed under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) to be effective 1 July, 2027.
“We recognize that these changes are coming right ahead of the holiday peak season, and will significantly impact import timelines, customs clearance, landed costs, and sourcing strategies,” said Flexport.
Additionally, there are new tariff executive orders that have been released by the Trump Administration.
For Brazil, tariffs will increase to 50% from 6 August. In-transit goods (loaded before 6 August and entered by 5 October) will retain the previous 10% rate.
A 50% Section 232 tariff on semi-finished and copper-intensive products will also begin on 1 August, applied only to copper content. Non-copper content will remain subject to reciprocal tariffs or other applicable duties.
Dimerco’s Asia Pacific Freight Report for August stated shippers are uncertain about planning air cargo schedules as the US tariff deadline of 1 August approaches, but are rushing to export goods from southeast Asia to the US in the meantime.
