We’ve all been following the saga of the de minimis exemption for months. Now it’s official. On August 29, the U.S. will implement the de minimis duty change 2025, ending the $800 duty-free threshold for international shipments. No matter where your products ship from—China, Canada, Europe—every package entering the U.S. will be subject to import duties. This move follows a phased rollout that started with China and Hong Kong earlier this year. As of next month, it becomes a global shift.
How the New Rules Will Work
Under the old rule, shipments under $800 could enter the U.S. without customs duties. That’s been a major advantage for overseas sellers using direct-to-consumer shipping models.
Starting August 29, that exemption is gone. USPS shipments will face temporary flat-rate tariffs, ranging from $80 to $200 per item. After six months, those will convert to percentage-based duties based on item and origin. Courier shipments through UPS, FedEx, and DHL will immediately require full customs declarations and duties.
How This Hits Your Bottom Line
If your fulfillment model relies on international shipping, you’ll face increased costs, longer transit times, and added customs paperwork. But this isn’t a crisis. It’s a chance to adapt.
Here’s what smart sellers are already doing:
- Pre-importing high-demand inventory into U.S.-based warehouses
- Repricing items to reflect added duty costs or building them into shipping fees
- Updating checkout pages and email flows to warn customers about potential duties
- Moving bestsellers to domestic 3PLs to preserve fast delivery
Your international shipping strategy doesn’t need to disappear. It just needs a smarter foundation.
The Opportunity No One’s Talking About
Most coverage frames this as a challenge. But for U.S.-based eCommerce merchants, it may finally give domestic sellers a more level playing field.
For years, ultra-low-cost overseas sellers could skip duties and undercut U.S. prices. Now everyone’s playing by the same rules. That makes fast, local fulfillment more competitive. That makes your “Ships from the U.S.” label more valuable. And that gives your brand a clearer shot at standing out.
This policy shift may finally tilt the table back in favor of domestic sellers. Especially the ones who’ve built lean, reliable operations and solid customer relationships.
How to Get Ahead Before the Deadline
International logistics are about to get more complex. But if your backend is tight, this transition doesn’t have to slow you down.
Ordoro helps you:
- Route orders to the right warehouse automatically
- Track and sync inventory across all locations
- Apply shipping presets that factor in new duties and delivery windows
- Automate fulfillment workflows so you’re not buried in customs forms or rate calculators
If you’re already selling across borders, we’ll help you do it better. If you’re ready to bring inventory stateside, we’ll help you move fast.
What to Do Before the Deadline
This is the last major update in the de minimis story. The de minimis duty change 2025 is coming fast, and if you are shipping into the U.S. from abroad, it is time to act. If you are based in the U.S. already, this could be your moment.
Want to tighten up your fulfillment strategy before August 29?
Book a demo and let’s set you up with a smarter, smoother shipping setup.