We're Still Shipping to the US!
- Date:
- Category: Mail & Parcel Delivery
From 29 August 2025, the United States will remove the long-standing $800 de minimis duty exemption, meaning that all shipments entering the US will now be subject to duties and tariffs. For e-commerce sellers and small businesses shipping across to the US, this is a major regulatory shift.
What’s changing?
The de minimis exemption previously allowed shipments valued under $800 to enter the US duty-free under Type 86 bulk entry. This route will now be withdrawn. From 29 August, all shipments must be cleared under either Type 11 (informal entry) or Type 01 (formal entry).
This change has already led to disruption with companies such as Royal Mail and Deutsche Post suspending services to the US due to their reliance on postal clearance solutions that cannot accommodate the new rules.
How Transglobal Express is prepared
While postal operators are suspending services, Transglobal Express has been ahead of the curve:
- We have been processing USPS shipments under Type 11 clearance since May, when the exemption was first lifted for goods originating in China.
- All USPS shipments booked through us now operate under Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) terms, with duties calculated and collected at checkout. This ensures your customers are not hit with surprise charges on delivery.
- Our platform offers a Customs Duty Calculator, enabling you to estimate costs in advance and price products with confidence.
- Beyond USPS, we provide a full range of express and economy services with DHL, FedEx, and UPS, giving you flexibility to ship either DDU or DDP depending on your customer needs.
What it means for e-commerce sellers
For many retailers, the immediate impact is cost. Duties will now apply on every shipment, with rates depending on the commodity type and country of origin. Here are some illustrative examples of how charges can apply to different goods:
| Description (HS Code) | Duty Type | Country of Origin:UK EU | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s cotton t-shirt (6109.10.00.04) |
General Duty Additional Tariffs (e.g., reciprocal) Total Duty |
16.5% 10% 27.5% |
16.5% 0% 16.5% |
| Vinyl record (8523.80.10.00) |
General Duty Additional Tariffs (e.g., reciprocal) Total Duty |
0% 10% 10% |
0% 15% 15% |
| Costume jewellery necklace (7117.19.15.00) |
General Duty Additional Tariffs (e.g., reciprocal) Total Duty |
8% 10% 18% |
8% 7% 15% |
Figures shown are illustrative. Always check official sources such as the US Harmonised Tariff Schedule.
Read more and access business and trade resources at business.gov.uk
Choosing the right logistics partner is now more important than ever. With the removal of de minimis, e-commerce sellers need:
- Transparency on duty costs.
- Reliability in customs clearance.
- Options to match customer expectations.
Transglobal Express combines all three, helping you respond to this regulatory change smoothly while keeping your business competitive in the US market.
Book with confidence knowing your US shipments are already set up for the post–de minimis world.
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