Three months after restoring the de minimis exemption to Chinese imports, the U.S. will eliminate the exemption.
Beginning May 2, the de minimis exemption for imports from China and Hong Kong will be removed. The exemption provides duty-free status to products valued at $800 or less.
President Donald Trump issued an order to institute the exemption’s removal.
In fiscal 2024, de minimis products accounted for $1.36 billion in imported goods. More than half of all products shipped under the de minimis exemption originated in China, including products subject to Section 301 status, accounting for about 40% of all U.S. imports.
RVIA said the de minimis loophole has particularly affected the RV aftermarket sector.
“The closure of the de minimis exemption for Chinese imports is expected to have wide-ranging economic and trade implications,” RVIA said. “While primarily targeting illicit shipments, the policy will also affect legitimate low-value imports from China, potentially shifting supply chains and encouraging U.S. businesses to source from alternative markets.”
Imports from China and Hong Kong, sent through means other than the international postal network that had qualified for the de minimis exemption, will now be subject to all applicable tariffs. Products sent through the international postal network will be subject to a 30% tariff or $25 per item, in lieu of other tariffs. The per-item fee increases to $50 beginning June 1.
In an executive order implementing reciprocal tariffs, the president said the de minimis exemption will remain in place for other global imports only until Commerce Secretary Howard Ludnick determines systems are “in place to fully and expeditiously process and collect duty revenue.” When such time is reached, the executive order eliminates the de minimis exemption from that country’s imports.
