US online shoppers used to clear almost every personal purchase duty-free under the $800 de minimis threshold. That exemption has ended: removed for China and Hong Kong on 2 May 2025, extended to every other country on 29 August 2025, and suspended indefinitely by CBP on 24 June 2026. A $30 phone case and a $1,000 camera are both dutiable today, and the carrier will contact you before releasing the package.
For orders from AliExpress, SHEIN, Temu, eBay international sellers and similar platforms: duty now applies regardless of order value. No threshold remains below which a package enters the US duty-free.
The $800 De Minimis Rule Has Ended
The single most important change: the $800 duty-free allowance no longer exists. Every shipment entering the US is dutiable and requires a customs entry, whatever its declared value.
The de minimis threshold was the value below which customs duties were waived. The USA raised it from $200 to $800 in 2016, which made it one of the most shopper-friendly import regimes in the world until its suspension. Congress has legislated its permanent removal for 1 July 2027 under Public Law 119-21.
Result: personal online orders from platforms like AliExpress, eBay, SHEIN and Temu now attract duty on entry to the USA. Value still decides the entry type, informal or formal, but no longer decides whether you owe anything.
- A $500 jacket from Italy? Duty applies.
- A $700 camera from Japan? Duty applies.
- A $30 phone case from anywhere? Duty applies.
What About Multiple Packages From the Same Order?
Splitting no longer helps. With no value threshold to fall under, a $1,500 AliExpress order shipped as three $500 packages attracts duty on all three, and each needs its own customs entry.
CBP can also consolidate packages it believes were deliberately split to avoid duties. Since splitting achieves nothing on the duty side now, structuring shipments that way carries risk without benefit.
When Do You Actually Pay Duties?
Duties may apply when:
- Every shipment, at any declared value, since 29 August 2025
- The goods are on a special tariff list (certain Chinese goods became subject to Section 301 tariffs from 2018 onwards)
- Commercial quantities of goods are being imported
For packages up to $2,500, CBP uses an informal entry process; above that, formal entry is required. Duties are assessed on the type of goods and country of origin. The carrier (DHL, FedEx, UPS) typically advances the duty payment and bills you before releasing the package, usually adding a brokerage fee.
Track Your International Package
Monitor your package's customs status in real time — including clearance and any duty notifications.
Track Your PackageHow to Calculate Duties (When They Apply)
US import duties are calculated based on:
- The HS (Harmonized System) code for the type of goods
- The country of origin
- The transaction value
You can look up duty rates at the US International Trade Commission website (usitc.gov) using your product's HS code. Common duty rates range from 0% to 20%+ depending on product category. For example, apparel from China faces duties of 15-20%, while electronics from most countries face 0-5%.
China-Specific Tariffs (Section 301)
From 2018 to present, the US has imposed additional Section 301 tariffs on many Chinese goods. These tariffs are on top of regular duties and can be substantial (25%+ in some categories).
With de minimis suspended, these measures now reach personal packages too. Estimates near 30% apply to China-origin goods through commercial carriers, while postal parcels can reach roughly 54%, so the channel a parcel travels in changes the bill.
The de minimis exemption is suspended indefinitely by CBP Interim Final Rules effective 24 June 2026 (91 FR 37789), and is legislated to end permanently on 1 July 2027. Always consult the latest CBP guidance at cbp.gov, because these rules changed twice in eighteen months.
VAT and GST for Non-US Destinations
If you're not in the USA, your country's VAT or GST will apply to imported packages over the local threshold:
- UK: Packages over £135 are subject to import VAT (20%)
- EU: Since 1 July 2026 the €150 duty exemption is replaced by a flat €3 per item duty on consignments up to €150, plus import VAT (Council Regulation (EU) 2026/382)
- Canada: Packages over CAD $20 (shipped from non-US) face GST/HST
- Australia: GST applies to imported goods over AUD $1,000
Always check your country's import threshold before ordering expensive items internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary: US Import Duties for Online Shoppers
Every package is now dutiable. The carrier contacts you before releasing it, you pay the assessment, and it ships. What catches people off guard is China-origin goods, where Section 301 measures stack on top of regular duties and postal parcels are treated less favourably than commercial carriers.
- Any value: Duty applies, no threshold since 29 August 2025
- Up to $2,500: Informal entry — carrier may advance duties and bill you
- Over $2,500: Formal entry required — CBP Form 4646 issued
- Chinese goods: Section 301 measures stack on top, and postal parcels cost more than commercial
- Non-US buyers: Check your country's local VAT/GST threshold
Track your international package in real time on ParcelsZen — including customs status and clearance updates.