The Trump administration is scrapping the “de minimis” rule on Friday, a move likely to raise prices for consumers who buy inexpensive goods online and that may trigger near-term shortages for certain items, economists and trade experts said.
“It’s a massive change for the U.S. consumer,” said Rathna Sharad, CEO of FlavorCloud, a cross-border logistics firm.
The de minimis exemption lets U.S. consumers import $800 worth of goods free of tariffs, duties and fees. The rule makes it cheaper for consumers who buy products directly from international sellers.
The volume of these low-value shipments has swelled amid the rise of e-commerce, experts said.
In 2024, the U.S. received about 1.4 billion de minimis shipments, more than double the 637 million in 2020, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data.
