Billions of packages of “cheap” goods now subject to new rules, including those from Serbia – Temu and Shein especially affected

For almost a century, low-value packages from abroad entered the US duty-free thanks to the so-called de minimis rule, which has been applied to shipments worth less than USD 800 since 2015. This loophole has significantly changed the way people shop in the US, making it easier for small businesses around the world to sell to Americans, and has particularly benefited ultra-cheap Chinese e-retailers like Shein, Temu and AliExpress, which have been selling everything from clothing and furniture to electronics directly without the tariffs that apply to more expensive shipments.

However, all imported goods - regardless of value - are subject to customs rates of 10 to 50% under the new rules, depending on the country of origin. In some cases, a flat fee of USD 80 to USD 200 will apply for the next six months.

Couriers and post offices adjusting to new rules

Ahead of the expiration of the de minimis rule, numerous carriers from Europe, Japan, Australia, Taiwan and Mexico have suspended deliveries to the US due to problems with compliance with the new regulations.

For this reason, many national postal services, including the Post of Serbia, have temporarily suspended sending packages to the US due to uncertainty regarding the new customs procedures. This directly affects Serbian companies and individuals who send goods to customers in the US.

UPS said it was ready for the changes and did not expect delays, while DHL, which temporarily stopped standard shipments from Germany, announced that there could still be delays in the transition period. FedEx and the US Postal Service did not want to comment on the possible consequences.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) emphasizes that their systems are “fully prepared” and that they have given clear instructions to supply chain partners to ensure the smooth implementation of the new rules.

JP Pošta Srbije Beograd

Post of Serbia

FedEx

Shein

Temu

AliExpress