No more duty-free parcels to the US: a seller's checklist
From 29 August, small orders shipped to US customers from any country face duties. If you sell online internationally, your checkout and customer messages need updating now.
By the Xuru Technologies team · 14 August 2025
Key takeaways
- A 30 July 2025 executive order suspends US de minimis duty-free treatment for low-value shipments from all countries from 29 August 2025.
- Postal shipments face duties calculated under transitional methods; commercial shipments face normal duties.
- Postal operators and carriers are still working out how they will collect duties, so expect some disruption.
- Sellers should show duties upfront, choose carriers carefully and update policies.
For years, a $40 order from a small UK or European shop arrived duty-free in the US. That ends this month for shipments from everywhere.
What happened
White & Case and KPMG summarised the order, which extends the earlier removal for China and Hong Kong to all countries.
What it means for sellers
- Surprise duty bills on delivery cause refused parcels and bad reviews.
- Carrier choice matters. Some handle duties at checkout (delivered duty paid); others don't.
- Prices may need adjusting for US customers.
- Policies must be clear on who pays duties and how returns work.
Checklist
| Area | Action |
|---|---|
| Checkout | Show estimated duties and taxes before payment, or offer duty-paid shipping |
| Product data | Correct HS codes and country of origin |
| Carriers | Confirm how each handles US duties from 29 August |
| Policies | Update shipping, duties and returns pages |
| Customers | Email US customers explaining the change |
Frequently asked questions
Does this affect gifts and personal shipments?
The order mainly targets commercial shipments; rules for bona fide gifts differ. Check current US Customs guidance.
Should I stop selling to the US?
Not necessarily. Many sellers continue by offering duty-paid shipping and adjusting prices.
How do I calculate duties at checkout?
Many e-commerce platforms and carriers offer landed-cost calculators or delivered duty paid services.
Checkout that shows the full landed cost.
We set up international checkouts with duties, taxes and clear policies so US orders arrive without surprises.
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