The President’s executive order implements the end of the exemption that CBP stated put American businesses at a disadvantage.
Postal carriers from around the globe have suspended package deliveries to the United States now that the “de minimis“ exemption has been paused. President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month ending the exemption. As of Friday, imports worth $800 or less will be subject to tariffs based on their country of origin.
Under the Tariff Act of 1930, Americans had avoided tariffs and taxes on imports that were valued at $200 or less. President Barack Obama signed the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act in 2016, raising that threshold to $800 for small imports. As a result, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported an increase in shipments from 139 million in 2015 to 1.36 billion in 2024.
CBP proposed a rule change for small imports in January before President Trump’s second inauguration. stating, “This exponential increase has created challenges for CBP’s effective enforcement of U.S. trade laws, health and safety requirements, intellectual property rights, and consumer protection rules.“
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For President Trump to be led by the Lord as he seeks to increase national security and strengthen the economy for American businesses.
- For wisdom for Commissioner Rodney Scott as he heads U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Sources: Newsweek, Customs and Border Protection, NPR
