Are Trump’s New Tariffs Making Online Shopping Pricier?

President Donald Trump’s recent move to end the decades-old de minimis exemption for low-cost imports is reshaping U.S. e-commerce and international trade.

The exemption, established in 1930 and expanded to $800 in 2016, had allowed small-dollar shipments from foreign countries—especially China—to enter the U.S. duty-free, benefiting platforms like Temu and Shein.

While critics warn the new tariffs increase costs for American shoppers, supporters say the policy protects domestic industries, particularly the textile sector, which lost over 18% of its jobs due to overseas competition.

Textile groups also claim de minimis shipments were linked to unsafe products and forced labor.

The change has also created new opportunities for local customs processors and warehouses, such as Zonos and BoxC Logistics, who now manage tariff collection, product fulfillment, and compliance, highlighting the broader economic and regulatory ripple effects of the rule.

The policy aims to close loopholes dating back nearly a century, balancing consumer costs with protections for U.S. manufacturing and public safety.