The de minimis threshold — the value below which packages enter the US duty-free — is one of the most misunderstood aspects of US trade policy in 2026. Here's what you need to know.
Under Section 321 of the Tariff Act, packages valued at $800 or less can enter the United States without paying import duties. This applies to personal imports, online shopping, and small business orders.
The $800 de minimis exemption no longer applies to goods from China. Every package from China — regardless of value — now faces import duties or flat fees. This was implemented to close a loophole that Chinese e-commerce platforms (Temu, Shein, AliExpress) used to ship billions of dollars worth of goods duty-free.
| Origin | De Minimis Status | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇳 China | ❌ Eliminated | $0 — all packages taxed |
| 🇭🇰 Hong Kong (China origin) | ❌ Eliminated | $0 — all packages taxed |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | ✅ Still valid | $800 |
| 🇮🇳 India | ✅ Still valid | $800 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | ✅ Still valid | $800 |
| 🇪🇺 EU Countries | ✅ Still valid | $800 |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | ✅ Still valid | $800 |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | ✅ Still valid | $800 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | ✅ Still valid | $800 |
| 🌍 Most Others | ✅ Still valid | $800 |
For Chinese packages that no longer qualify for de minimis, duties are collected in one of two ways. The e-commerce platform collects estimated duties at checkout and remits them to CBP. Or the shipping carrier (FedEx, UPS, DHL, USPS) assesses duties at delivery and collects from the recipient.
The administration has signaled interest in tightening or eliminating de minimis for more countries. If Section 301 investigations result in tariffs on countries like Vietnam and India, their de minimis eligibility could change too.
Check If Your Package Qualifies
De Minimis Calculator →Yes for most countries, but NOT for China. Chinese goods of any value now face import duties.
Packages over $800 from any country require a formal customs entry and are subject to standard import duties based on the product type and country of origin.