De Minimis Imports

"De minimis" refers to the value threshold below which imported goods can enter a country with simplified paperwork and little or no customs duty. For years, these rules let low-value shipments cross borders quickly and cheaply, such as a phone case, a T-shirt, or a craft supply ordered from overseas. In the United States, the threshold was long set at $800 per shipment. The European Union waived customs duties on parcels valued under €150.

That arrangement is now under intense scrutiny. Cross-border e-commerce has grown rapidly, led by marketplaces such as Temu, Shein, and Amazon, and the volume of small parcels has soared. Policymakers argue that the exemptions give overseas sellers an edge over domestic retailers, strain customs inspection capacity, and make it harder to screen for unsafe or counterfeit products. In response, governments on both sides of the Atlantic are rewriting the rules. They are suspending exemptions, introducing per-parcel charges, and tightening entry requirements.

These shifts ripple across the retail economy. Shoppers may see higher prices and slower deliveries. Platforms are rethinking fulfillment and warehousing strategies. Postal operators and logistics firms face new compliance burdens and phased transition timelines.

What you'll find here

• Regulatory changes to de minimis thresholds in the US, EU, and other markets
• Guidance, deadlines, and enforcement updates from customs and border agencies
• How e-commerce platforms and sellers are adjusting pricing and supply chains
• Effects on postal services, carriers, and international mail networks
• Market data on cross-border online retail and consumer costs

Follow this page for ongoing coverage of how the economics of low-value imports are being reshaped.