On August 29, 2025, the U.S. government will end the De Minimis exemption for most goods imported from China and potentially other countries. This exemption has allowed packages valued under $800 USD to enter the U.S. duty-free and without formal customs clearance.
What’s Changing?
Most shipments from China will no longer qualify, meaning:
- Import duties apply on every order, regardless of value
- Shipments face stricter customs inspections
- Clearance requires additional documentation and time
This change is being driven by trade enforcement efforts and pressure from U.S. lawmakers and domestic retailers. According to a 2024 report by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), the use of the De Minimis rule for cross-border eCommerce shipments has more than tripled since 2018, with the majority of parcels originating from China and processed through platforms like Temu and Shein.
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Who’s Affected?
This shift will impact any business shipping small parcels directly from overseas to U.S. customers, especially those using:
- Cross-border fulfillment from China
- Dropshipping platforms like AliExpress or Temu
- Carriers such as 4PX, YunExpress, or UBI
- Factory-direct or supplier-fulfillment models
Even if you’re a growing brand with modest volume, you’re not exempt. If you’re shipping from China into the U.S. without a local warehouse, your logistics costs and delivery times are about to increase.
How This Impacts Your Online Shop
Here’s how your operations could be affected if you’re not prepared:
1. Higher Costs Per Order
Without De Minimis, you’ll need to pay import duties on every package. Depending on your product category, these duties can range from 5% to 25% or more.
2. Slower Delivery
Packages will face longer customs processing, especially if documentation isn’t perfect. Expect 1–3+ day delays on top of regular transit times.
3. More Returns, Complaints, and Lost Sales
Customers don’t like surprises. Slower delivery or unexpected fees can lead to lower satisfaction, increased refund requests, and poor reviews.
4. Less Predictability
Your current shipping model becomes riskier. Packages may be held at customs or rejected if requirements aren’t met—costing time and money.
What You Can Do
Smart brands are already pivoting. Here are key steps to take before August 29:
1. Move Inventory to the U.S.
Ship products in bulk to a U.S. warehouse now. You’ll clear customs once—then fulfill individual orders domestically without duties.
2. Bulk Import and Consolidate Shipments
Reduce duties per unit by consolidating products into one shipment. This lowers fees and gives you more control over customs clearance.
3. Review Tariff Classifications
Make sure your product codes (HTS) are correct. Misclassification can lead to overpayment—or even legal trouble.
4. Work With a U.S.-China 3PL
Partner with a fulfillment provider that handles both sourcing and U.S. delivery. You’ll reduce handoffs and get full supply chain visibility.
Why Local Fulfillment Makes Sense
U.S.-based fulfillment isn’t just a reaction to De Minimis ending. It’s a smarter long-term strategy.
Here’s why:
- Faster delivery: 2–4 day shipping keeps customers happy
- Lower return rates: Shorter wait times reduce chargebacks and complaints
- Better tracking: Full visibility improves trust and transparency
- No per-order duties: One bulk import clears customs, and you’re done
- More margin control: Predictable costs help you scale profitably
If you’re already doing 30+ orders/day, switching to U.S. fulfillment protects your margins and customer experience.
What Lansil Global Offers
At Lansil Global, we’ve built a full-service fulfillment system designed for this moment—and beyond.
U.S. Fulfillment Network Strategy
We’ve got you covered coast to coast, with warehouses in Nevada and Pennsylvania for fast 2–4 day nationwide shipping.
Tariff-Saving Bulk Imports
We help you bulk ship inventory into the U.S., cutting per-unit import costs and clearing customs only once.
End-to-End Logistics
From sourcing to fulfillment, our team manages it all—integrated with your eCom platform for a seamless order flow.
Flexible Storage
Need to scale up for Q4? Downsize for summer? Our warehouse plans grow and shrink with your needs—no wasted storage fees.
With the right plan in place and the right fulfillment partner, you can avoid disruptions—and even improve your customer experience.
Need a smarter fulfillment game plan for 2025? Let’s make it happen. Contact us for more information.
