The exemption allowed goods valued at less than $800 (€685) to be sent without a surcharge upon entering U.S. soil.
On July 30, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a decree to eliminate these exemptions, stating a desire to “end a catastrophic loophole used, among other things, to avoid customs duties and to send synthetic opioids as well as other dangerous products.”
Only “good-faith gifts” sent privately with a value under $100 (€85) will continue to benefit from the exemption.
According to the Border Protection Agency, small parcels contain 98% of narcotics, 97% of counterfeit goods, and 70% of hazardous health products that were seized during the year 2024.
“Closing this loophole will save thousands of lives by reducing the flow of narcotics and dangerous and prohibited products,” assured a U.S. official at a press conference, as reported by the French news agency AFP.
The number of postal packages has surged in the United States, rising from 134 million units in 2015 to more than 1.36 billion in 2024, according to official data.
From now on, except for “gifts” valued under $100, packages are subject to the same customs duties as any other imported goods, with a minimum of 10%, or 15% for those originating from European Union countries, and up to 50% for India and Brazil.
