Tariff Relief for Chinese Imports Offers Temporary Boost as U.S. Moves to End De Minimis Exemption
The U.S. has rolled back steep tariffs on low-value imports from China and Hong Kong, offering temporary relief to e-commerce platforms and logistics providers. Under a new executive order, the 145% tariff imposed earlier this month has been reduced to 30% for a 90-day grace period. Postal shipments valued under $800 now face a 54% tariff or a flat $100 fee—avoiding a planned increase to $200.
The move has already revived some e-commerce activity. Retailers are ramping up sales and shipments to U.S. consumers, while freight and air parcel networks are seeing a rebound in volume. Logistics professionals anticipate a spike in cross-border shipments through the summer, with freight rates likely to rise as demand climbs.
However, this relief is short-lived. A new House bill proposes to eliminate the de minimis exemption for all commercial imports by July 2027. Originally designed to support small businesses, the policy has come under fire for enabling large overseas platforms to bypass duties and customs scrutiny. Over 4 million de minimis shipments now enter the U.S. daily.
CBP is developing new rules that will require advance data on low-value shipments and restrict de minimis eligibility for goods subject to tariffs. The White House has also signaled it may fully revoke the exemption once infrastructure is in place to manage mass-scale tariff collection.
