On August 29, 2025, the U.S. officially ended the de minimis exemption, a decades-old trade policy that allowed low-value imports (under $800) to enter the country duty-free. This change is seismic.

For years, e-commerce giants and small importers alike relied on this loophole to keep costs low and margins healthy. Now, every shipment—no matter how small—is subject to full customs processing and applicable duties. The result? Higher costs, longer delays, and more complexity.