Recommendations on America First Trade Popicy

Summary: cottagewoman discusses the impending end of the de minimis exemption in US trade policy, which currently allows duty-free entry for imports valued at $800 or less. This policy change, motivated by security concerns and revenue loss, is part of a broader trade framework. transtraders expresses worry about the negative impact on small businesses globally. cottagewoman agrees and foresees a future where e-commerce might be dominated by large businesses, limiting small entrepreneurs and confining platforms like eBay to domestic transactions. fergua3 warns of the isolationist implications for US citizens, suggesting they will be trapped by trade barriers.

I would suggest every non-American reseller around the world who exports to the US to be ready for the end of de minimis in the near future. Pertinent section below for this link: https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/04/report-to-the-president-on-the-america-first-trade-policy-executive-summary/

Chapter 9. Review of the De Minimis Exemption (Section 2(i) of AFTP)

Packages containing imports valued at $800 or less imported by one person on one day currently enter the United States duty free. The United States should end this duty-free de minimis exemption. This exception has resulted in approximately $10.8 billion in foregone tariff revenue in 2024 alone. De minimis shipments also pose serious security risks to the United States. The de minimis exemption is a means by which fentanyl, counterfeit goods, and various deadly and high-risk products enter the United States with little scrutiny. Countless consumer products that don’t meet U.S. health and safety standards, such as flammable children’s pajamas and lead-ridden plumbing fixtures, enter the United States through under the de minimis administrative exemption every year. This is in part because the government does not collect sufficient data on low-value shipments to allow for enforcement targeting. The de minimis exemption also allows for importers to evade trade enforcement tariffs; for instance, goods entering through the de minimis exemption do not need to pay duties owed pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. With nearly four million packages arriving each day through the de minimis exemption, it is imperative that DOC and CBP recover our rightful tariff revenue and defend our national security by ending the exemption.

cottagewoman

4477 View listings

Posted 1 year ago·Last reply 1 year ago

4 comments

transtraders

·1 year ago

View listings

They will obliterate a lot of small business' if this goes into effect. Will be a sad day for many.

cottagewoman

OP1 year ago

View listings

Yes - both US and worldwide. The 800$ exemption was put in place to help small businesses in the US to source without formal entry burdens. Read entrepreneurs developing new products, etc. I see a future where e-commerce will only be accessible to large businesses. Platforms like eBay will silo to domestic markets only.

fergua3

·1 year ago

View listings

US citizens are soon going to be held prisoner within their own contry behind a trade barrier wall. They voted to be isolated, and that's exactly what they will get.

cottagewoman

OP1 year ago

View listings

As previously stated in other posts, in the current tariff framework launched on April 4 the repeal of de minimis for all countries is being prepared for. This just crystalizes the 'analysis' and recommendations regarding de minimis.