US : Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for Low-Value Shipments Globally with effect from 29 August 2025

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref. :EIC 111/3
 EIC 111/3/13

1 August 2025
(Last updated on 29 September 2025)

Dear Sirs,

Further to Commercial Information Circulars (CICs) No. 310/2025, 327/2025, 346/2025, 387/2025 and 415/2025 dated 3 April 2025, 9 April 2025, 11 April 2025, 28 April 2025 and 13 May 2025 respectively on US’ additional duties as applied to low-value imports from China (including products of Hong Kong), the US President on 30 July 2025 signed an executive order suspending duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value shipments globally effective from 29 August 2025 and announcing duty rates for international postal shipments.

DETAILS

2.On 2 April 2025, the US President signed an executive order announcing that duty-free de minimis treatment shall no longer be available for products of China (which include products of Hong Kong) on 2 May 2025 and such imported merchandise shall be subject to additional duties. On 8 and 9 April 2025, the US President signed two executive orders updating the additional duties as applied to low-value imports from China (including Hong Kong). Subsequently, on 12 May 2025, the US President signed an executive order announcing de minimis tariff decrease for products of China (including products of Hong Kong) starting 14 May 2025. Effective from 14 May 2025, all relevant postal items containing goods that are sent through the international postal network that are valued at or under US$800 and that would otherwise qualify for the de minimis exemption are subject to a decreased duty rate of either 54% of their value or a tariff of US$100 per item that has been in effect since 2 May 2025.

3.On 30 July 2025, the US President signed an executive order suspending duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value shipments globally effective from 29 August 2025 and announcing duty rates for international postal shipments:

1. Imported goods sent through means other than the international postal network that are valued at or under US$800 and that would otherwise qualify for the de minimis exemption will be subject to all applicable duties, taxes, fees, exactions, and charges.
2. For goods shipped through the international postal system that are valued at or under US$800 and that would otherwise qualify for the de minimis exemption, packages will instead be assessed duties according to one of the following methodologies:
1. Ad valorem duty: A duty equal to the effective tariff rate imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) that is applicable to the country of origin of the product. This duty shall be assessed on the value of each package. As used in the order, the term “effective IEEPA tariff rate” means the total duty rate imposed on articles under IEEPA, including reciprocal tariff; and additional 20% duties on products of China (including products of Hong Kong) pursuant to Executive Order 14195, as amended, in accordance with any subsequent order or proclamation addressing stacking or the applicability of tariffs imposed under IEEPA; or 
2. Specific duty: A duty ranging from US$80 per item to US$200 per item, depending on the effective IEEPA tariff rate applicable to the country of origin of the product. The specific duty methodology will be available for six months, after which all applicable shipments must comply with the ad valorem duty methodology above.

4.The above requirements and procedures established by the order shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on 29 August 2025. Moreover, the provisions of the order supersede previous executive orders with respect to the assessment of duties as applied to low-value products from China (including Hong Kong).

5.For further details, please refer to the US President’s executive order, the White House’s fact sheet, the Federal Register (FR) notices and the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)’s messages:

The US President’s executive order
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/suspending-duty-free-de-minimis-treatment-for-all-countries/ 

White House’s fact sheet
https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/07/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-is-protecting-the-united-states-national-security-and-economy-by-suspending-the-de-minimis-exemption-for-commercial-shipments-globally/ 

FR notice (5 August 2025)
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-08-05/pdf/2025-14897.pdf

US CBP’s Cargo Systems Messaging Service Message - Guidance: Payment of Duty on International Mail Shipments pursuant to Executive Order 14324 “Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries” (15 August 2025)
https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-3ee147f?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2

US CBP’s Cargo Systems Messaging Service Message - Updated De Minimis Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-3ef1f14?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2

FR notice (2 September 2025)
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-09-02/pdf/2025-16802.pdf

US CBP’s Cargo Systems Messaging Service Message - Updated Guidance: Payment of Duty on International Mail Shipments pursuant to Executive Order 14324 “Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries” (22 September 2025)
https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-3f3d736?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2

6.For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact us at telephone number 2398 5405.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Kwany KOU)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry

Note: While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.