US Court upholds duties on small packages under $800

de minimis exemption customs duties US trade policy import tariffs Court of International Trade

The US Court of International Trade has upheld an executive order allowing customs duties to be applied to small packages previously exempt under the 'de minimis' regime. This ruling validates President Donald Trump's decision to suspend the exemption for shipments valued under $800.

Previously, the de minimis rule allowed such shipments to enter the country without duties, taxes, or rigorous inspections. Under the new ruling, only private, good-faith gifts valued at less than $100 will continue to qualify for the exemption.

Importers had challenged the order, arguing that the authority to set tariffs belongs to Congress rather than the president. However, the court ruled that the exemption is a 'privilege' rather than a right, making the president's action legitimate.

President Trump characterized the ruling as a victory against a trade loophole, stating that the previous rules were exploited by foreign sellers and used by criminals to smuggle fentanyl and counterfeit goods. He noted that the de minimis rule cost the US approximately $10.8 billion in lost revenue in 2024.

Entities

Donald Trump · US Court of International Trade

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] The de minimis rule allowed foreign sellers to ship packages up to $800 without duties or rigorous controls. www.notizie.it · lecodellitorale.it · cn24tv.it
[● 3 SOURCES] The US Court of International Trade ruled that the president acted legitimately in suspending the de minimis exemption. www.notizie.it · lecodellitorale.it · cn24tv.it
[● 3 SOURCES] Small packages entering the United States can now be subject to customs duties. www.notizie.it · lecodellitorale.it · cn24tv.it
[● 2 SOURCES] The de minimis regulation resulted in approximately $10.8 billion in lost US duty revenue in 2024. lecodellitorale.it · cn24tv.it
[● 3 SOURCES] Only private, good-faith gifts valued under $100 remain eligible for the exemption. www.notizie.it · lecodellitorale.it · cn24tv.it