Jet Worldwide Blog Posts

Rethinking the De Minimis Debate

When people discuss the surge of de minimis shipments into the U.S., most point to the 2016 increase of the duty-free threshold to $800. But the real driver wasn’t the dollar limit—it was an operational fix gone wrong: the launch of Type 86.

For e-commerce platforms, sellers, importers, and logistics providers, understanding this story is crucial for navigating the present and planning for the future.

The Old Guard: A System of Control and Compliance

If you ship products from Japan to the United States, big changes are here that could affect your costs, filings, and overall import strategy. On September 4, 2025, a U.S.–Japan trade agreement sets a default 15% minimum tariff on nearly all imports from Japan.

Phone manufacturers, including Apple, are moving towards “eSIM*.”If your carriers network does not support, you have to buy a physical nano-SIM. Nano-SIM Apple phones can still be purchased from Canada (most iPhone’s purchased in the USA are not available with a nano-SIM).

Recent changes in U.S. customs regulations have created a new landscape for international shipping, especially for small businesses and e-commerce. A recent executive order has eliminated the "de minimis" rule, which previously allowed packages valued at less than $800 to enter the United States duty-free. This change, aimed at combating illicit trade and leveling the playing field, has triggered a significant response from foreign postal authorities, many of which have temporarily suspended services to the USA.

Postal Imports and De Minimis Suspension

While suspension of the de minimis affects all imports, it's particularly aimed at international postal networks. Postal imports were frequently used to "fly under the radar" of customs. The regulatory oversight of commercial imports has always been much greater than for postal imports. Now, packages sent via international post will face significant duties – either a flat fee of $80 to $200 per item, or new Trump era duty charges which can be over 50%. But this new burden falls not yet on the post office but also commercial carriers and porters.

A Major Shift for E-commerce imports to the U.S.

Effective August 29, 2025, a significant change is coming to how international mail shipments are processed upon entry to the United States1. Pursuant to Executive Order 14324, issued on July 30, 2025, the duty-free de minimis treatment for all countries is being suspended for shipments entering the U.S. through the international postal network. This means that carriers and other approved "qualified parties" must now collect and remit duties for articles that were previously eligible for this exemption.

The End of an Era: Section 321 and Entry Type 86 Discontinuation

A huge policy shift, including both executive orders and legislative actions, mark the effective termination of the broad de minimis /Section 321 /Entry Type 86 exemption. This shift mandates a transition to more rigorous import procedures, primarily informal Entry Type 11 and formal Entry Type 01 entries. The implications for global e-commerce are far-reaching.

Re-evaluation of supply chain and fulfillment models are imperative to navigate this new regulatory environment successfully. High volume e-commerce importing is still possible via new processes.

Tariffs for USA Imports Effective August 2025

An executive order detailing new reciprocal tariff rates for imports from virtually all countries will take effect August 7, 2025. Goods loaded onto a vessel and in transit on their final mode of transit before August 7 will avoid the new tariffs. Also, goods withdrawn from a bonded warehouse for consumption) before October 5, they will not be subject to the new tariffs.

Low value e-commerce containing cosmetics, creams, lotions, supplements, food, and other  U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated goods are now subject to full approval. All prior exemptions of certain low-value FDA-regulated products I've been rescinded All FDA-regulated goods are now subject to stringent approval and clearance processes, and critically, they cannot be cleared via the low-value Section 321 entry.