US to slash tariff on small China parcels from 120% to 54%

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Tue 13 May 2025 06.08 EDT
First published on Tue 13 May 2025 02.55 EDT


The US has announced it is slashing the tariff on small parcels sent from mainland China and Hong Kong to the US from 120% to 54%, hours after Washington and Beijing agreed a 90-day pause in their trade war.

Donald Trump signed an executive order more than halving the levy, which was brought in at the start of this month to close the “de minimis” loophole allowing low-value goods to be sent to the US without paying import fees.

The exemption – taken from the Latin phrase for “of little importance” – had meant items sent from abroad via post valued at up to $800 (£606) were able to enter the US duty-free and with nominal inspections. It fuelled the rise of fast fashion companies sending goods from China such as Shein and Temu.

In February, the US president moved to close the loophole, imposing a tax of 120% of the value of any package coming from China or a flat fee of $100 from 2 May. That tariff will fall to 54% from Wednesday. The alternative flat fee of $100 will remain but it will not rise to $200 in June as planned.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/13/us-cut-tariff-small-china-parcels-de-minimis-shein-temu

[twodogsbarking]

1. WTF

[bucolic_frolic]

2. It's still ridiculous.

How do they collect it? What agency collects it? The carrier? USPS, FEDEX? USPS will hold packages until you pony up?

Is a $2 item from China worth $2? Do they deduct shipping cost? Chinese shippers routinely under or over declare value. Sometimes even marked gift.

This remains a petty policy that will do nothing more than hinder commerce and severely clog up the movement of goods. Like pouring hot peanut butter over your keyboard.

[thesquanderer]

5. re: "How do they collect it? What agency collects it? The carrier?"

Yes, the carrier. At least that's how shipments that were valued above $800 were handled before Trump changed the rules. I'd have to make a separate payment to UPS or fedex.

[IbogaProject]

7. The USPS does collect tariffs

Or import duties as they are called. I got some rugs overseas once and sent them to my Mom's house. A notice on the same form for signature required said pay by a certain date or consequences (dont recall the particulars as it was 1999).

[Bluetus]

9. How many mathematicians are required to keep up

with the daily changes and all the permutations? I swear, somebody wanks up[ to Trump's golf cart, whispers something in his ear, and 15 minutes later somebody has put out a social media posting (which actually has no weight in law) changing all teh tariff rules once again.

[Bengus81]

3. Oh thank you Dear Leader...only a 54% TAX from you and Republicans in Congress!!!

And...are we still on track to GUT Medicaid $8.8B per year while spending $5B per year to make sure rich and religious people can send their kids to Jesus school?

[thesquanderer]

4. Another day, another change. How can any companies plan? The unpredictiblity is as bad as the plans themselves. (nt)

[Martin68]

6. The Trump shell game. Raise tariffs to 120%, then lower them to 50% and pretend you made a good deal to save

American's money. And the MAGAts swallow all of it whole and proclaim the genius of the dear leader.

[patphil]

8. Well that's a relief, only 54%.

Now the tariff wall is low enough for me to see over it.