De minimis rule & how it affects e-com shipping to the US? [SAMOS e-commerce LTD](/)Open main menu Search Services Pricing Resources Blog [ Login ](https://connect.samos-e.com/login) ![Change to tax exceptions in the USA](https://samos-e.com/storage/208/conversions/Main-Graphic-main.jpg) 2024 de minimis rule changes in the US. ======================================= What is the de minimis rule and how will the proposed changes affect e-commerce businesses shipping to the US? ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://samos-e.com/storage/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS - [First off, what is de minimis?](#content-first-off-what-is-de-minimis) - [What does de minimis mean for e-com businesses?](#content-what-does-de-minimis-mean-for-e-com-businesses) - [What is the exemption threshold in the US and how is this about to change?](#content-what-is-the-exemption-threshold-in-the-us-and-how-is-this-about-to-change) - [Who will the changes to the US customs threshold affect?](#content-who-will-the-changes-to-the-us-customs-threshold-affect) - [How can I prepare for changes like these?](#content-how-can-i-prepare-for-changes-like-these) 4th November 2024 Share this article - [Share on Facebook]() - [Share on WhatsApp]() - [Share on LinkedIn]() - Copy Link **On 13th September 2024, the Biden administration announced plans to restrict low-value imports under the de minimis exemption, which allow goods valued at up to $800 to enter the US duty-free. The administration also called on Congress to pass reform this year, meaning changes could potentially be made before Black Friday weekend or Christmas. Read on to find out what this means for businesses shipping to the US.** [\#](#content-first-off-what-is-de-minimis "Permalink")First off, what is de minimis? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Many countries around the world have a de minimis threshold which means ‘too small to be taken into consideration’. Therefore, if the value of the product is under a country’s threshold it may be considered tax and duty free. [\#](#content-what-does-de-minimis-mean-for-e-com-businesses "Permalink")What does de minimis mean for e-com businesses? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The threshold varies from country to country, however, in some countries, where there are no de minimis exemptions, every import is subject to a full import declaration and corresponding duties and taxes are applied. Where de minimis does apply, business can avoid import duties and taxes, allowing for competitive prices, improved margins and more streamlined customs clearance and delivery times. [\#](#content-what-is-the-exemption-threshold-in-the-us-and-how-is-this-about-to-change "Permalink")What is the exemption threshold in the US and how is this about to change? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In the USA, the de minimis exemption was added to US trade law nearly 100 years ago and has become a key fixture in cross-border e-commerce deliveries. For a long time, the threshold was $200 but it went up to $800 in 2016. However, the US administration has stated that in the last decade, many companies – particularly Chinese retail giants like TEMU and Shein – have taken advantage of the threshold to bring tons of low-cost goods into the country whilst paying little taxes. This is a problem because it undercuts prices for many US companies. It also provides more opportunity for the movement of illegal and counterfeited goods. In an attempt to protect more US companies that are selling higher-value goods and combat contraband entering the country via low-cost packages, the US administration plans to issue an executive order prohibiting items that are subject to certain tariffs from meeting the de minimis exemption. [\#](#content-who-will-the-changes-to-the-us-customs-threshold-affect "Permalink")Who will the changes to the US customs threshold affect? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The plans will almost certainly impact de minimis-reliant sellers. Temu and Shein are two of the biggest examples of companies with de minimis-reliant supply chains. The rule would exclude roughly 70% of textile and apparel shipments coming from China. It would also affect other sellers who circumvent these tariffs by shipping via China. The rules, if confirmed, will exclude all shipments containing products covered by sections Section 301, Section 201 and Section 232. For smaller companies, the crack-down may not affect their sales as much, but they could see a ramping up of administration requirements, such as the enforcement of 10-digit tariff codes. [\#](#content-how-can-i-prepare-for-changes-like-these "Permalink")How can I prepare for changes like these? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you are exporting goods to the US, it will pay you to be aware of the changes as and when they develop. SAMOS can help guide you through these adjustments. We help to demystify the complex rules and regulations of global delivery systems. We handle everything – from customs to clearance – on behalf of our customers and we ensure that all prices are upfront and transparent. We’re here to keep shipping simple. If you’d like to know more about de minimis, the proposed changes to US tax exemptions, or any other delivery conundrum, get in touch with SAMOS. ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://samos-e.com/storage/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS - [First off, what is de minimis?](#content-first-off-what-is-de-minimis) - [What does de minimis mean for e-com businesses?](#content-what-does-de-minimis-mean-for-e-com-businesses) - [What is the exemption threshold in the US and how is this about to change?](#content-what-is-the-exemption-threshold-in-the-us-and-how-is-this-about-to-change) - [Who will the changes to the US customs threshold affect?](#content-who-will-the-changes-to-the-us-customs-threshold-affect) - [How can I prepare for changes like these?](#content-how-can-i-prepare-for-changes-like-these) 4th November 2024 Share this article - [Share on Facebook]() - [Share on WhatsApp]() - [Share on LinkedIn]() - Copy Link Who is SAMOS? ------------- SAMOS is parcel logistics company based in London, specialising in creating and engineering customer-focussed e-commerce parcel delivery and returns solutions. [Find out more about SAMOS ](/about-samos) What our customers are saying ------------------------------ SAMOS customers had difficulties shipping into the EU and beyond - until they found SAMOS. [Read more about our customers ](/customer-stories) How to contact SAMOS -------------------- Need more help or do you have any questions for us? Talk to us Why not try shipping with SAMOS? -------------------------------- Request a demo to learn more about how SAMOS can help you ship directly to your customers. [Request a demo ](/request-a-demo) ### Related Articles [![Reduce US Duty and Tariff Risk With SAMOS](https://samos-e.com/storage/267/conversions/Thumbnail--Graphic-6-main.jpg)](/blog/customs/reduce-us-duty-and-tariff-risk-with-samos)7th November 2025[Customs](/blog/customs) ### [ Reduce US Duty and Tariff Risk With SAMOS](/blog/customs/reduce-us-duty-and-tariff-risk-with-samos) Have you received an unexpectedly hefty duty and tariff invoice for a US shipment? 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Are you now rethinking your international delivery strategy for exporting to the USA? ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://samos-e.com/storage/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS [![Pay no minimum $80 duty](https://samos-e.com/storage/253/conversions/Social-Media-Graphic-2-main.jpg)](/blog/customs/how-to-avoid-the-80-minimum-duty-to-us)26th August 2025[Customs](/blog/customs) ### [ Protect your profits - no $80 minimum US duty when you ship with SAMOS](/blog/customs/how-to-avoid-the-80-minimum-duty-to-us) Your customer shouldn’t be the one discovering your courier’s hidden fees. ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://samos-e.com/storage/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS [![Image of a dollar sign and percentage sign with arrows pointing to each other](https://samos-e.com/storage/247/conversions/Thumbnail--Graphic-main.jpg)](/blog/customs/how-to-navigate-changes-to-the-us-de-minimis-rule)14th August 2025[Customs](/blog/customs) ### [ How to navigate changes to the US de minimis rule.](/blog/customs/how-to-navigate-changes-to-the-us-de-minimis-rule) As the date for the end of the US de minimis exemption looms, we talk you through how to prepare for the changes to duties and tariffs. ![Picture of Simon Perkins](https://samos-e.com/storage/129/conversions/TBA41DHHU-UB8G6TW2C-a6e01c7f48ad-512-main.jpg) Simon Perkins Commercial Director at SAMOS Footer ------ ### Services - [Parcel Delivery ](/services/parcel-delivery) - [Parcel Returns ](/services/parcel-returns) - [All Integrations ](/services/integrations) - [Parcel Tracking ](/services/parcel-tracking) - [Shipping to the EU](/services/parcel-delivery/europe) - [Shipping fragrances & cosmetics to the EU](/blog/eu-shipping/problems-shipping-cosmetics-and-fragrances-across-the-eu-your-solution) - [Learn about IOSS for EU Shipping ](/blog/ioss) ### Integrations - [Shopify](/services/integrations/shopify) - [Shipstation](/services/integrations/shipstation) - [Linnworks](/services/integrations/linnworks) - [Mintsoft](/services/integrations/mintsoft) - [WooCommerce](/services/integrations/woocommerce) - [Shiptheory](/services/integrations/shiptheory) - [Despatch Cloud](/services/integrations/despatch-cloud) - [Magento](/services/integrations/magento) - [Pimento](/services/integrations/pimento) ### Company - [About SAMOS ](/about-samos) - [Customer Stories ](/customer-stories) - [Shipping Rates ](/pricing/samos-shipping-rates) - [Return Rates ](/pricing/samos-return-rates) - [Request a Demo ](/request-a-demo) - [Sustainability ](/resources/sustainability) - [Resources ](/resources) - [Contact Us ](/contact-us) ### Terms & Conditions - [Website T&Cs ](/website-terms-and-conditions) - [Privacy & Cookies ](/privacy-and-cookie-policy) - [Shipping T&Cs ](/shipping-terms-and-conditions) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/samos.ecom/)[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/samos-e-commerce/)[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/samosecommerce/?hl=en)[YouTube](https://youtube.com/@samose-commerce4997?si=rqZ4UmQ6V1we6Kuk) © 2026 SAMOS e-commerce LTD