Whether you're ordering from an international website, buying souvenirs abroad, or having a friend ship you something from another country, US import duties may apply. Here's a simple guide for personal imports.
For most countries, personal purchases valued at $800 or less are duty-free. This applies to online orders, gifts received from abroad, and items you bring back from travel.
The exception: China. Packages from China face duties regardless of value. There is no duty-free threshold for Chinese goods anymore.
Your order is under $800 AND it's not from China. That's it. A $500 watch from Japan? Duty-free. A $200 handbag from Italy? Duty-free. A $10 phone case from China? Taxed.
Any order from China regardless of value. Plus any order from any country over $800. The duty rate depends on what you're buying — clothing is taxed higher than electronics, for example.
✅ Duty-Free Examples
$300 sneakers from UK retailer — under $800, not China
$150 skincare from Japan — under $800, not China
$750 electronics from South Korea — under $800, not China
❌ Duties Apply
$15 case from Temu — China, de minimis eliminated
$50 dress from Shein — China, de minimis eliminated
$1,200 watch from Switzerland — over $800 threshold
US residents returning from abroad can bring up to $800 worth of goods duty-free (per person). This is separate from the mail/package de minimis. Items over $800 are subject to duties, though a flat 3% rate applies to the next $1,000 for most goods.
Will Your Order Be Taxed?
Check With De Minimis Calculator →Gifts under $100 from non-China countries are duty-free. Gifts from China face duties regardless. Gifts over $100 follow the standard $800 de minimis rule.
The shipping carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, or USPS) will bill you at delivery. Some carriers charge a brokerage fee ($5-15) in addition to the duty amount.