Is the $800 de minimis exemption still available for imports?
The short answer, with the official forms and the agencies' own links.
The short answer
No. Duty-free de minimis ended for goods from China and Hong Kong on May 2, 2025 and for all countries on August 29, 2025. CBP suspended it indefinitely in its regulations on June 24, 2026, so low-value shipments now go through informal or formal entry and pay duty. By law the exemption ends permanently on July 1, 2027.
The forms involved
Create/Update Importer Identity Form
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Sent to CBP (usually through your customs broker), or created in the ACE portal. Needed before your first entry as importer of record.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Takes
- Up to 5 business days.
Customs Bond
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Bought from a CBP-approved surety, usually through your customs broker, who files it electronically. A continuous bond covers a year of entries.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- At least 5 business days for review.
- Renews
- Continuous bonds renew yearly.
ACE Secure Data Portal account for importers
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Applied for online in ACE. Lets you see your entries, duties and bond.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Full guides
General information, not legal or tax advice. Agency requirements change; check the agency's page before you file.
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