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De minimis tariff exemption ends today - what does it mean for your business?

ended 29. August 2025

For Thisismoney / Mail Online: The de minimis tariff exemption, enabling UK businesses to send low value goods to the US without any customs duties, ended today (and for most other countries around the world). We're keen to hear from UK retailers and other businesses that are being impacted by the new shipping tariff/duties that Trump is implementing. One small retailer on Newspage has said it's “runining small businesses” as nobody seems to know what's going on. Trump has basically scrapped the $800 De Minimis exemption and there will now be an $80 charge on all low-value parcels to the US (potentially restricting demand) or a 10% tariff paid by the seller when paying for the postage (potentially hitting British companies selling and sending smaller items to the US, making it non-profitable). Any thoughts on this, or if you're impacted, tell us all about it. This story will be written today so get your skates on.

2 responses from the Newspage community

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Sam Kirk
Managing Director at J-Flex Rubber Products
Today’s end of the U.S. tariff de minimis exemption has prompted a lot of headlines, but it’s important to remember that tariffs themselves are not new. They are a longstanding feature of international trade, though they have become more prominent because President Trump has chosen to draw political attention to them. As a business exporting to 50+ countries, we carefully consider which Incoterms (the international terms that clarify the responsibilities of buyers and sellers in a sales contract) we use when it comes to shipping products. At present, all of our exports to USA are on an "ex-works" basis, which means the buyer is responsible for arranging shipping and the subsequent duties and tariffs that are payable on entry.
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Gaynor Lockwood Edwards
Crochet teacher and maker of hats at Quirky Cactus
This means disaster. As a sole trader who designs and makes crochet animal headdresses for a living, it has certainly put a spanner in my works. I’d say 95% of my work goes to the US. After a very quiet time sales wise, the week before this ridiculous announcement I had a few orders, which was great. Then the announcement came. This means when I send them, if anyone figures out how to do it, I’ll have to pay an extra 10% of the total cost of these items plus postage in tariff fees. This will be upwards of £150. This is on top of the Etsy fees, which are 15%-30%. It gets even more complicated if any of your supplies come from elsewhere. Then you have to work out the tariffs on each component part. It’s very confusing and expensive. I can’t afford to refund the orders I already have so will have to take a hit. I’ve had to increase my prices to cover the tariffs. Trump may believe that he’s bringing in more money but in reality he’s making Americans pay more for everything.