Cargo Systems Messaging Service

CSMS # 65029543 - Update to GUIDANCE: Federal Register Notice Published on De Minimis Requirements Per Executive Order 14256 and Guidance for Carriers Transporting International Mail

On May 12, 2025, the President signed the Executive Order “Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates to Reflect Discussions with the People’s Republic of China.”  In addition to  implementing a 90-day percentage decrease in the ad valorem duty rate for products of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) (including products of Hong Kong and Macau) covered by Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, as amended (guidance regarding which is provided in a separate CSMS), the May 12, 2025 Executive Order also modified the special duty rates set forth in section 2(c) of Executive Order 14256 of April 2, 2025, as amended, which apply to postal items containing covered products of the PRC (as described in section 2(a) of Executive Order 14195) that are valued at or under $800, that would otherwise qualify for the de minimis exemption authorized in 19 U.S.C. § 1321(a)(2)(C), and that are sent to the United States through the international postal network from the PRC or Hong Kong.  Accordingly, effective 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 14, 2025, shipments of covered products valued at or under $800 arriving through international mail from China and Hong Kong will be subject to an ad valorem duty rate of 54% or a flat specific duty rate of $100 per package. 

The process for collection and payment of duties for international mail shipments from China and Hong Kong, as provided in CSMS # 6486116, has been updated and is attached to this message. 

All other restrictions on de minimis shipments remain in effect.  Accordingly, effective 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 2, 2025, covered goods will not receive the administrative exemption from duty and certain taxes under 19 U.S.C. § 1321(a)(2)(C), known as the “de minimis” exemption. Goods described in Section 2(a) of Executive Order 14195, “Imposing Duties To Address the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China” (90 FR 9121, Feb. 7, 2025), as amended, that are not sent through international mail, must be entered under an appropriate entry type, such as a type 11 or 01 entry, in ACE, and will be subject to all applicable duties, taxes, and fees.  

Any questions regarding these requirements can be sent to ecommerce@cbp.dhs.gov.

For additional background see: “Notice of Implementation of Additional Duties on Products of the People’s Republic of China Pursuant to the President’s Executive Order 14256, Further Amendment to Duties Addressing the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China as Applied to Low-Value Imports” published in the Federal Register on April 28, 2025.