For an ordinary purchase shipped from China to the United States, do not budget on the assumption that a parcel valued under $800 enters without duties under the former de minimis rule. Confirm the current entry procedure, applicable import charges and payment responsibilities before dispatch.
Short answer
The United States suspended the duty-free de minimis treatment under 19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2)(C) for goods from all countries from August 29, 2025. Ordinary low-value purchases should therefore be planned with the required customs entry and any applicable duties, taxes and fees. This does not mean every shipment has the same rate or that every other statutory exemption has disappeared.
What changed for ordinary purchases
CBP's Federal Register background on low-value shipments records the suspension and the subsequent interim rule continuing it. The October 8, 2026 document also proposes procedural changes; those proposed changes should not be treated as rules already in force.
The shipment's goods, origin, classification, value and current entry treatment determine what requirements and charges apply. Do not turn an old threshold, a carrier label or an informal description into a tax calculation. Ask the carrier or broker for the procedure and charge basis that apply to the actual parcel.
Build a complete shipping budget
Compare the product cost, China-side delivery and warehouse services, international freight, clearance costs, applicable import charges and final delivery charges. Use the final packed weight and dimensions rather than the shopping-cart estimate. Ask which amounts are included, estimated or excluded.
If you are choosing a service model, review whether you need a buying agent or a parcel forwarder. Buying assistance and forwarding have different scopes; request the services and fees that apply to your order.
Separate prepayment from DDP
Prepaid duties describe a charge-collection arrangement. They do not, by themselves, establish Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) responsibilities. Under formal DDP, the seller delivers the goods cleared for import at the named destination ready for unloading and bears the responsibilities required by the agreed rule.
Confirm who arranges customs entry, who pays each applicable import charge, and who responds to requests for documents. If the quote uses DDP, ask for the named destination and rule version. Read our DDP versus DDU guide and the HMRC Incoterms guide. A delivery term alone does not guarantee release without questions or an arrival date.
Choose the carrier service after packing
Ask which services accept the complete parcel, including any batteries, liquids, magnets or other items needing specific checks. Compare the quote, tracking coverage, estimated transit time, delivery arrangements and claim terms. Express transport can suit a tight deadline, but transport speed does not remove customs requirements.
Use our shipping-method guide after the warehouse confirms the packed parcel. Check whether a transit estimate excludes warehouse processing or customs time.
Keep declarations and documents consistent
Keep invoices, payment evidence and product details together. Use accurate descriptions and follow the valuation requirements for the entry. Do not describe a purchase as a gift or reduce its value to obtain an exemption. Review what value to declare and customs preparation checks. Good preparation can identify avoidable issues; it does not guarantee clearance.
Final checklist
- Confirm current entry requirements and applicable charges for the goods.
- Record the packed weight, dimensions and accepted-goods confirmation.
- Identify import-clearance and payment responsibilities in writing.
- Keep accurate declarations, invoices and contact details ready.
- Compare complete quotes and delivery estimates before approving dispatch.
Last reviewed: October 10, 2026. U.S. entry requirements and duty treatment can change. Confirm the current procedure with the carrier or broker before dispatch.
Related guides
These guides cover destination customs and shipping preparation.
