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As an importer, clearing customs is perhaps the most important or, if not, one of the most important milestones in your supply chain. If you sail through the process without a hitch, your costs stay in check, your timelines remain on track, and your compliance record stays clean. Much of this comes down to selecting the right entry type for your shipment. Now, for someone new to the world of
Since its inception, Entry Type 86 has been the backbone of e-commerce businesses that rely on low-value shipments. This is because it allows all packages under the De Minimis value of $800 to clear customs with minimal hassle. That said, things changed on May 2nd, 2025—the customs process is getting stricter, and the list of exemptions is smaller. The news is especially grim if your e-commerce business relies on imports
Starting May 2, 2025, duty-free imports from China and Hong Kong under the De Minimis provision (Section 321 of the Tariff Act) came to an end. In its place, Executive Order 14256 introduces sweeping changes—including flat-rate fees and a hefty 54% ad valorem duty—that will fundamentally reshape how U.S. importers do business. The CBP is also proposing additional rules that would exclude entire product categories exempt under the De Minimis policy
In 2025, the U.S. is tightening trade policies with stricter customs rules, updated tariffs, and new export controls, impacting shipments from China, Mexico, and Canada in early February 2025. A key change is the suspension and then a delay of the Section 321 de minimis entry for China origin shipments. On February 1, 2025, President Trump signed an executive action ending duty-free entry for shipments under $800. Initially set for
CBP recently sent the two Notices of Proposed Rulemaking below, which are now open to a 60-day comment period until March 17th, 2025. January 13th, 2025- CSMS # 63715212 – CBP Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Enhance Enforcement as to Low-Value Shipments January 17th, 2025- CSMS # 63789491 – CBP Proposes New Rule to Strengthen Enforcement and Limit Duty Exemption for Low-Value Shipments The most significant proposed change
In the United States, e-commerce retail trade sales are worth over 1.1 trillion dollars. The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis recently announced that the goods and services deficit for March 2024 stood at a whopping $69.4. Many of these shipments would be subject to import duties if they weren’t for Entry Type 86. Entry Type 86 is a new customs declaration introduced by the US in
eCommerce has become an integral part of our daily lives and is now the preferred method of shopping for a majority of people around the world. If we focus on the U.S. market alone, about 16.4% of all retail transactions are expected to be online this year. While that may seem like a small number, in terms of revenue, the U.S. eCommerce market is poised to hit the $1.1 trillion mark
Understanding Section 321 Customs Entry What is Section 321? Section 321 is a statute under the Trade Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act, sometimes called de minimis entry, that allows cargo valued at $800 or less to be imported into the United States duty-free. In 2016, the de minimis entry was raised from $200 to $800, and the amount is usually pegged on the fair retail value of the product in
International Trade is one of the key sectors that drive economic growth. First and foremost, it allows countries to capitalize on their natural resources or production of goods and services in which they have a competitive edge. Secondly, it expands market opportunities for businesses, promoting investment and capital inflows. That being said, a slow and inefficient customs clearance process can have a detrimental effect on international trade and hinder economic growth. Thankfully,
Entry Type 86 is a voluntary test that is usually filed by a customs broker appointed by the owner, purchaser, or consignee. To qualify for Entry Type 86, the merchandise brought into the United States must have an aggregate retail value of $800 or less in the country of origin. Power of Attorney and Brokers The customs broker must have the power of attorney (POA) as a filer of Entry