The party's over for dirt-cheap Chinese fashion hauls. President Donald Trump just closed the "de minimis" loophole, a trade exemption that allowed foreign e-commerce titans like Temu and Shein to ship low-cost packages (under $800) into the U.S. tariff-free.
Now, it's 90% duties or $75 per item. Come June 2025, that jumps to a scorching $150.
Trump Closes The Door, Then Slams It
Trump didn't just end the exemption. He tripled the planned levy in a move aimed at countering China's retaliatory tariffs and, officially, to crack down on the flow of synthetic opioids like fentanyl. His executive order, signed last week, targets shipments from China and Hong Kong outside the international postal system.
These low-value parcels, which previously enjoyed a duty-free ride into American closets, now face a brutal cost hike.
The Commerce Department claims it is finally equipped to process and collect tariff revenue on these micro shipments, declaring the systems are "ready."
Ready or not, the bill is coming due.
Retail Fallout Is Already Here
Forever 21, now liquidating its stores, blamed Temu and Shein's ultra-low prices for gutting its customer base. "The ability for non-U.S. retailers to sell at drastically lower prices has significantly impacted us," the company said in court, reported Axios.
Temu, operated by PDD Holdings Inc
With the loophole dead, both giants will face a new reality: play by the rules or pay a premium for every glitter top and gadget they send stateside.
