Trump pauses de minimis repeal as packages pile up at U.S. customs

President earlier had closed tariff exemption for shipments below $800

20250207N packages at U.S. post office REU

The Trump administration closed an exemption that let U.S. shoppers avoid paying tariffs for shipments below $800 from China, but President Donald Trump on Feb. 7 signed an executive order delaying the measure. © Reuters

February 8, 2025 03:13 JST

Updated on February 8, 2025 05:33 JST

WASHINGTON/LONDON/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -- U.S. President Donald Trump paused his administration's repeal of duty-free treatment of low-cost packages from China on Friday, giving the Commerce Department time to make the order workable, after the rapid change sparked chaos for customs inspectors, postal and delivery services and online retailers.

The cancellation of de minimis means low-value e-commerce packages arriving in the United States with goods from China must use the "formal entry" process that requires additional information and duties before entering the country, a much more time-consuming process.