Trump’s Sudden De minimis Cut: UK Exporters Get Ready to Say “No More Free Ports!”
What’s the Big Deal?
President Donald Trump has just moved the U.S. de minimis threshold from $800 to nothing by the end of August—two years earlier than anyone had expected. That means every shipment, no matter how small, now faces potential U.S. duties.
Why UK Shippers Are Freaking Out
The Parcelhero team says UK exporters who hustle goods valued at $800 or less are in for a shock. Suddenly, what used to ride free of tariffs will now be treated like a big, fancy shipment.
- Drivers of “low‑value” packages will see extra costs.
- UK exporters might end up with piles of unsold goods.
- Most UK business will have to absorb the extra fees instead of passing them on.
How It Might Hit the Bottom Line
Looking back over the last 12 months, the UK shipped over £61.4 bn worth of goods to the U.S.—including a lot of items under $800 such as apparel, ceramics, toys, and sports gear. Now, each of those items could start paying tariffs.
Under the current UK‑U.S. trade deal, a 10% tariff sits on UK products when they arrive in America. Picture a $800 coat costing an extra $80 (roughly £60). For shoppers, that extra $80 could push them toward buying a domestic brand instead.
The New Executive Order’s Gist
The Trump administration’s order states that no shipment is exempt from duty, no matter the value or mode of transport. That means all items will face either:
- A tariff equal to the origin country’s rate (10% for the UK).
- Or a “specific” duty ranging from $80 to $200 per package, depending on the country’s tariff bracket.
For the UK, this could translate to a blanket $80 fee on every postal parcel, even if it’s a single $1 item.
Why Is the U.S. Doing This?
In the past, a similar de minimis cut for Chinese goods threw U.S. customs into chaos—delays at airports, pausing USPS deliveries, and massive backlog. The new flat fee is a way to avoid that same headache.
Two Quick Hacks to Save the Day
- Use an international courier instead of the traditional postal system. Couriers dodge the flat $80 fee.
- For American citizens receiving gifts worth $100 or less, a properly marked package can travel duty‑free.
Final Word for UK Exporters
Don’t try to “transship” goods through the UK to qualify for the 10% rate. The U.S. will slap a punitive 40% tariff on any transshipped item.
In short: brace yourselves, stay informed, and consider switching couriers or using gift‑labeling where possible.
