The trade loophole is meant to ease small-scale sales — but critics say it's been abused and gives Chinese firms an unfair advantage.

U.S. President Donald Trump this week shut a trade loophole that has been used to ship low-value packages duty-free from China, the "de minimis" exemption on import tariffs. Trump's halt to Section 321 de minimis is part of his implementation of an additional 10% tariff on China and 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico,

Here’s how to understand de minimis and how it turbocharged bargain platforms Shein and Temu.

Trump's new tariffs suspend China's de minimis exemption, blocking duty-free shipments under $800 - a move aimed at curbing fentanyl inflows and impacting Chinese e-commerce firms

President Donald Trump is considering changing a key U.S. trade benefit to other nations, the "de minimis" exemption on import tariffs, as he accuses China of unfair trade practices and blames it for a crisis over the deadly drug fentanyl.

This chart shows countries applying a "de minimis" exception of taxes and/or duties* for incoming shipments of smaller value.