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The de minimis exemption is suspended. CBP ended the $800 duty-free pass for low-value imports, and postal mail is not exempt. There is no announced end date. If you order from overseas, plan to pay duty on the full value.

Your customs bill is not random. It turns on three inputs: classification, value, origin. Miss any one and you're guessing.

What sets the bill

Classification has the most pull. CBP assigns your goods a Harmonized Tariff Schedule code. That code sets the rate. A cotton t-shirt and a silk kimono fall in different chapters, so they can pay different rates.

Value usually means transaction value. That's the price you paid. It is not the number the seller scrawls on the customs label. Say the invoice shows $40 for a $120 jacket. CBP treats that as undervaluation, and the shipment can get held.

Origin can add layers. Section 301, Section 232, and newer executive actions on certain supply chains can all tack on extra duties. Turns out, the item and its origin both matter.

What does not set the bill

The old $800 rule is no longer a shield. The suspension covers every mode, and postal shipments are included. There is no mail loophole.

An informal entry under $2,500 is still possible. CBP allows it. Thing is, it only cuts paperwork. It does not wipe out the duty.

Fees that ride along

Most commercial entries pick up at least one fee beyond the duty rate.

Example: LED lamps valued at $3,000, duty rate 4%. Duty is $120. MPF at 0.3464% comes to about $10.39, but the $27.75 minimum applies because the entry is over $2,500. Then add the carrier's clearance charge.

Each line looks small. The total can surprise you.

If CBP gets it wrong

You can protest. Use CBP Form 19. The deadline is 180 days from the decision date, under 19 CFR Part 174 and 19 U.S.C. 1514. Miss that window and the decision becomes final.

File through an ACE Portal protest filer account, or send paper to the port that made the decision. Your protest must name the decision. It must also state the classification, value, or rate you think is correct. Include invoices, proof of payment, and supporting documents.

CBP's internet purchases page says informal entries under $2,500 often clear without a broker. That does not extend the 180 days. The clock stays the same.

Broker fees are not CBP decisions. A Form 19 protest cannot touch them. If you dispute a brokerage bill, you're dealing with the broker's contract.

Other countries

This is U.S. process. Ship into the UK, EU, Canada, or Australia and different thresholds and complaint routes apply. None of them honor U.S. de minimis treatment. Once a parcel enters the UK, UK rules control.

What to do next

Get the HTSUS code right before you ship. If you are the importer of record, the legal responsibility is yours, not the seller's. Brokers file for you, but they rely on the documents you provide.

Keep invoices and payment records for at least three years. Protests and refund claims often need them long after delivery.

If a shipment sits at a port with no explanation, call the port. To be honest, that is not a protest route, but it is often the quickest way to find out what is blocking release.

FAQ

How do I estimate the total? Find the HTSUS code. Multiply the full declared value by the duty rate. Add MPF. Add HMF if it moves by ocean. Carrier calculators are estimates, not final bills.

Is the $800 de minimis coming back? The suspension is indefinite under the Federal Register notice. CBP has not announced a reinstatement date.

Can I appeal a broker's clearance fee? Not through CBP. Broker fees are private commercial charges. Take it up with the broker.