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US President Donald Trump is ending duty-free treatment for low-value imports from China and Hong Kong, effective May 2, 2025
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According to the White House, the policy targets Chinese-based shippers allegedly hiding fentanyl and other synthetic opioids in small, low-value packages
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Imports (sent through means other than the international postal network) valued at $800 or less will now be subject to all applicable duties
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All postal items containing goods sent through the international postal network and valued at $800 will face a 30% duty rate or $25 per item, rising to $50 per item after June 1, 2025
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Carriers must report shipment details to US Customs and Border Protection, secure a bond for duty payments, and submit payments on schedule
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CBP may also require formal entry for any package if necessary
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The Commerce Secretary will evaluate the impact of the policy and consider extending it to Macau within 90 days
US President Donald Trump is ending duty-free treatment for low-value imports (also known as de minimis) from China and Hong Kong, effective May 2, 2025, citing national security concerns over the influx of illicit synthetic opioids into the United States.
Imports from China and Hong Kong sent outside the international postal network valued at $800 or less will now be subject to all applicable duties, Trump said in an executive order signed April 2 (US time).
Imported items sent through the international postal network and valued at or under $800 will face a duty rate of either 30% of their value or $25 per item, rising to $50 per item after June 1, 2025.
Private carriers must report shipment details to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), maintain financial bonds to guarantee duty payments, and comply with formal customs entry procedures when required.
Trump had signed an initial order on February 1 ending duty-free entry for low-value Chinese imports, but later suspended the order because of logistical issues complicating the inspection of millions of the low-value shipments.
The US Secretary of Commerce will submit a report within 90 days to assess the economic impact of the order and consider extending similar restrictions to Macau.
The White House said the policy also aligns with Trump’s efforts to prevent “deceptive” shipping practices by Chinese-based shippers, allegedly concealing fentanyl and other synthetic opioids in small, low-value packages “to exploit the de minimis exemption.”
Last fiscal year, CBP seized more than 21,000 pounds of fentanyl, but officials estimate that only a fraction of the total supply was intercepted. CBP processes four million de minimis shipments daily.
Fentanyl-related overdoses now claim approximately 75,000 American lives annually—a toll greater than the number of US casualties in the Vietnam War, according to the White House.
“While the US previously offered a generous de minimis exemption, China enforces strict import restrictions and tightly limits de minimis exemptions, showing no similar leniency toward US shipments,” the White House said.
