New rules, real deadlines
Why this matters for brands (right now)
The U.S. ended the de minimis duty-free exemption for low-value imports on August 29, 2025, and USPS now requires six-digit HS codes on all international commercial mail as of September 1, 2025. That combo turns “rush” small parcels—samples, promo kits, store-set materials—into dutiable, data-heavy shipments that can face delays. Early fallout has been severe: the Universal Postal Union reports ~80% drop in postal traffic to the U.S. in the first week as dozens of national posts paused or rerouted service. The White House U.S. Customs and Border Protection
What’s changed—and what hits your budget
What changed—and what you’ll actually pay
The exemption that used to waive duties for shipments ≤ $800 is suspended for all origins. Carriers and Customs & Border Protection (CBP)-approved intermediaries must now collect duties. Depending on the tariff line and carrier program, brand teams are seeing ad valorem charges (often 10–50%) or a flat per-parcel fee tier during the transition. Expect more documentation and potential clearance holds as networks adapt. Reuters
Where this bites launch timing and consumer experience
Where the impact shows up
Campaign & launch dates: Added customs steps can compress timelines for seasonal drops, Gift with Purchase packaging, and store sets.
Customer experience: Late arrivals of packaging degrade the consumer experience.
Budgets: Duties, carrier/handling and storage can lift landed cost on what used to be “frictionless” small parcels.
Compliance: Mailings without the right HS code risk rejection/return. Align suppliers now on product classification. Supply Chain Dive
The express lane just closed
How big was “de minimis,” really?
Think of de minimis as the express lane millions of small parcels used daily. At its peak:
- Volume: About 1.36 billion packages in FY2024—~3.8–4.0 million per day.
- Value: Roughly $64–65 billion in declared goods.
- Origins: A large majority originated from China and nearby hubs.
- Slice of the pie: About 7.3% of U.S. consumer-goods imports rode this channel. www.hoganlovells.com
In plain terms: a massive stream of brand-critical small shipments—samples, pilots, promo kits—just moved from “mostly frictionless” to “dutiable and document-heavy.” That’s why costs and lead times are shifting, especially if you relied on quick small-parcel flows. And the network shock is real: global posts reported ~80–81% traffic drops to the U.S. in week one. AP News
Prices and planning: what to expect next
What does this mean for prices and planning?
- Consumer prices: Early macro reviews attribute about +0.3 percentage points to core goods inflation from the 2025 tariff wave so far. Federal Reserve
- Your landed cost: Small, fast shipments now carry duties/fees; large programs may not feel direct impact, it depends on consolidation strategy, and supplier readiness to transmit accurate HS codes and data at ship-time.
- Ops risk: Expect process changes at posts/carriers through fall as duty collection systems stabilize. Reuters
Five quick questions to prevent problems
- Where are we using small parcels (samples, pilots, promo kits, emergency fills)?
- Are HS codes complete and correct on every commercial mailing from each supplier?
- Have we updated landed-cost models (duties, fees, handling) for Q4/Q1 programs?
- Can we consolidate flows or near-shore items to reduce tariff exposure and clearance friction?
- Do launch calendars include buffer days while posts/carriers normalize duty collection?
Do this now, avoid fire drills later
Do’s and Don’ts: Fast actions to protect launches
Do
- Map exposed small-parcel flows; fix HS code gaps with suppliers.
- Consolidate samples/small runs; consider pre-paid landed-cost options.
- Build timeline buffers for store sets and seasonal campaigns. Supply Chain Dive
Don’t
- Assume “small = exempt.” That rule is off.
- Rely on last-minute air-parcel fixes; they’re now dutiable and more error-prone. Reuters
One partner, one plan
Where Prime Line Packaging Helps: Solutions
When rules shift, brands don’t need more noise—they need a plan. Prime Line solutions turn tariff and customs complexity into on-time outcomes:
- Tariff-aware planning: Translate your packaging codes; model landed cost with/without consolidation; flag where duties will hit.
- Smarter shipments: Consolidate samples/small runs; choose routings and pre-clear strategies that protect launch dates.
- Documentation done right: Supplier-ready templates for codes to meet new requirements.
Start a quick landed-cost & lead-time review for your Q4/Q1 programs: Contact Prime Line. Explore responsible materials that still move fast: Sustainability.
