What happened to the $800 de minimis rule?
For most commercial merchandise, duty-free de minimis treatment under 19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2)(C) has been suspended globally. Mail and non-mail shipments can follow different entry and duty-payment processes.
The four-step journey
A current, plain-English view of the U.S. suspension of duty-free de minimis treatment and what it means for small parcels.
- A low-value parcel is tendered
- Carrier or qualified party provides entry data
- Applicable duties and charges are determined
- CBP may release or examine
What the broker checks
- Current rule and shipment channel
- Product classification, value, and origin
- Who is responsible for entry and duty payment
Why it matters
“Under $800” is no longer a safe shortcut for commercial imports. Check the current process before promising a landed cost.
- De minimis: An administrative exemption historically used for qualifying low-value shipments.
Official sources
- Federal Register — 2026 De Minimis Suspension
- Federal Register — 2026 Mail Entry Process
- USITC — Harmonized Tariff Schedule