US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that closes a trade loophole known as “de minimus” that has allowed low-value packages from China and Hong Kong to enter the United States free of duties.
Trump signed the order in the Rose Garden of the White House after announcing sweeping new tariffs on global trading partners.
According to the White House, the move came after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick certified adequate systems are in place to collect tariff revenue on the shipments.
The White House said that imported goods from China and Hong Kong sent outside the international postal network and valued at or under 800 dollars would now be subject to all applicable duties.
It added that imported goods sent through the postal network and valued at or under 800 dollars would now be subject to a duty rate of either 30 percent of their value or 25 dollars per item, with that rate increasing to 50 dollars per item after June 1.