The 15-Second Definition
De minimis refers to a U.S. customs provision that historically allowed certain low-value shipments to enter with simplified customs treatment and without ordinary customs duties.
That changed significantly in 2025. The U.S. suspended duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value shipments from all countries.
The key point for importers: a shipment’s low value no longer automatically qualifies it for duty-free treatment.
Why It Matters
De minimis was particularly important for businesses shipping individual orders directly from overseas to U.S. customers. The exemption allowed many low-value shipments to avoid the duties that would otherwise apply.
Its suspension can therefore change the economics of direct-to-consumer fulfillment, particularly for businesses that regularly ship apparel, textiles, samples, or other relatively low-value goods directly to U.S. customers.
For some businesses, this may make alternatives such as importing inventory in larger shipments and fulfilling orders domestically more attractive.
How It Works
Before the suspension, qualifying shipments valued at $800 or less could generally enter under de minimis treatment without ordinary customs duties.
That broad duty-free treatment is no longer available. Low-value shipments can now be subject to applicable duties and must follow the entry and collection requirements that apply to the shipment.
The specific treatment depends on factors such as what is being imported, its value, and the applicable customs requirements.
In Practice
Imagine an apparel brand that previously shipped each customer order directly from an overseas supplier to the U.S. Because many individual orders fell below the de minimis threshold, the business could avoid ordinary customs duties on those shipments.
With that duty-free treatment suspended, the same fulfillment model can carry additional import costs and administrative requirements.
The business may therefore need to compare the economics of continuing direct international fulfillment with alternatives such as importing inventory in bulk and shipping orders from within the U.S.
Key Takeaway
De minimis was once a major cost advantage for businesses sending low-value shipments into the U.S. That advantage has changed.
For businesses that built their fulfillment model around the former exemption, low-value shipments now need to be evaluated as imports rather than assumed to be duty-free.
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