📦 US De Minimis Exemption Removed: What It Means for Australian Exporters

As of 29 August 2025, the United States has officially removed the de minimis exemption for commercial imports — a change that will have immediate implications for Australian exporters and eCommerce businesses.

If you ship goods to the US, particularly low-value items, this update is important to understand.

🔍 What’s Changed?

The de minimis exemption previously allowed goods valued under USD $800 to enter the US without incurring import duties or formal customs processing.

This exemption has now been revoked for all commercial shipments, regardless of origin or value. That means every shipment entering the US will be subject to duties and customs clearance — no matter how small.

🔄 Note: The situation is fluid and may continue to evolve. With policy changes possible by executive order, we recommend keeping a close eye on reliable sources for updates.

🇦🇺 What About Australia?

Australia has not implemented any reciprocal change, and local import conditions remain unchanged for now.

📉 Who’s Most Affected?

The change will hit eCommerce sellers the hardest — especially businesses regularly shipping low-value parcels to US consumers. Increased costs, longer processing times, and new compliance requirements could impact margins and delivery timelines.

📮 Australia Post Response

In reaction to the change, Australia Post has temporarily paused all standard low-value commercial shipments to the US. Key points:

• Shipments sent after 26 August under the affected category are being returned to sender.
• Gifts and non-commercial items under AUD $100 can still be sent via standard channels.
• Australia Post is working with Zonos, a platform that facilitates prepaid duties and taxes. Regular shippers are encouraged to register with Zonos to prepare for compliant shipping options.

Australia Post also offers commercial shipping channels, but these require a business account. These solutions won’t suit everyone, so it’s worth evaluating based on your volumes and needs.

✈️ Freight & Courier Options Still Available

The good news: Air freight and international courier services (DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.) are still running and fully compliant with the new requirements.

If you need support with these channels please get in touch with our team.

✅ Compliance Matters More Than Ever

US Customs has been preparing for this change for some time. Now that it’s active, strict compliance is essential.

We strongly recommend:

• Declaring the accurate value, correct HS codes, and true country of origin
• Avoiding under-declaration or shipment splitting to stay under thresholds — it’s not worth the risk
• Considering prepaid duty solutions (like Zonos or courier-based DDP options)

🌍 A Potential Silver Lining?

Yes — for some. Australia has among the lowest duty rates globally (approx. 10%), which may give compliant, high-quality Australian exporters a competitive advantage in the US market.

📢 Stay Up to Date

This is a fast-moving space. For reliable updates, we recommend:

• DFAT – Latest US Tariffs
• Australia Post – International Updates
• Industry news and US Customs announcements

💬 Need Help Navigating the Changes?

As a boutique freight forwarder, we’re here to help clients adjust quickly and confidently. Whether it’s exploring alternative shipping options or ensuring your documentation is spot-on, we’re ready to support you through this transition.

Get in touch if you’d like to talk through your shipping setup.