Overseas Jewelers hit as US Axes "De Minimis"

(IDEX Online) - Postal services in more than 30 countries have suspended small parcel deliveries to the US, after President Donald Trump announced the end of the "de minimis" exception that allowed goods under $800 to enter the country without duty.

The move, introduced on 29 August, directly impacts small jewelry businesses based outside the US who relied on postal deliveries to send their merchandise. For many the US was a primary market. Some have reportedly closed their online businesses as a result.

Platforms popular with artisans and small sellers, such as Etsy, have seen significant impacts. Sellers fear that the changes disproportionately affect small businesses with narrow profit margins who typically ship low-cost items.

The national postal services of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom, and others, have all suspended shipments to the US of goods valued under $800.

They say new US guidelines are unclear and they don't want to fall foul of them. The transport carriers or approved parties now bear the responsibility for customs duty collection.

Ending the de minimis exemption marks a significant shift in US trade policy, enforcing tariffs and customs duties on all shipments, regardless of value.

It was announced in an executive order issued on 30 July called Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries. De minimis for China and Hong Kong ended on 2 May.