US $800 De Minimis Exemption Gone: A Priority SME Action Plan

If you sell online to the US, this could change everything.

From 29 August 2025*, a game-changing rule hits every UK and global e-commerce business selling to the US.

The $800 de minimis threshold – which meant small parcels slipped into the USA duty-free – is being scrapped. From that day, every parcel, no matter how small, will face customs duties and fees.

That £50 necklace? It won’t glide through anymore. Your US customer could be asked to pay an extra $20+ on delivery. A £200 dress? Expect 15–20% added at the border.

And if your goods are originally made in China or another ‘high tariff’ country, the import bill could be eye-watering.

The US postal service is trialling a flat fee system – $80, $160 or even $200 per item – but that’s often worse. Imagine paying $80 in duties on a £50 product.

So what’s the risk as US customers aren’t used to paying duties?

• Abandoned baskets

• Rejected deliveries

• Custom hold ups

• Slower deliveries

• Unfavourable reviews

• More paperwork

• Shrinking margins

• Falling US sales.

You need to prepare now to win US customer trust:

• Be upfront with US customers about duties

• Adapt your checkout process for the new reality

• Adapt pricing to cover additional costs

• Explore DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) options

• Streamline your shipping processes and paperwork

• Check in with your shipping partner

• Rethink sourcing from high-tariff countries

• Consider US fulfilment if online sales are scaling.

This shift could be as disruptive as Brexit for online sellers.

The winners will be the ones who adapt fastest. Start today.

Are you ready for the post-de minimis world?

*on current status as per the Executive Order of 30 July 2025