The $800 Duty-Free Rule is Gone

From 29 August 2025, all imports into the USA are subject to duties and taxes. The long-standing $800 duty-free threshold (known as de minimis) has been suspended by Executive Order

Duties Depend on Country of Origin

Import charges aren’t flat — they’re product-based and depend on where the item was manufactured. For example: UK-made products generally incur a 10% duty, while EU-made products are around 20%.

UPS Will Collect Duties Before Delivery

When your parcel reaches the USA, UPS will contact you to pay the required duties and taxes. Payment must be made before the parcel can be released for delivery

What Happens If You Refuse to Pay

If duties aren’t paid, UPS will return the parcel to the UK. Shipping costs are non-refundable, and return charges will be deducted from your refund. It’s far simpler (and cheaper) to just pay the duties when asked.

We Still Value Our USA Customers

These changes weren’t our choice, but we want you to know we’ll continue to supply the USA with the same great products. We love working with our American customers and remain committed to smooth, transparent deliveries

Customs Import Fee Estimator (USA)

Declared Order Value (USD)

Country/Region of Origin

Share of US imports: 2.1%

Tariff % (editable)

Defaults reflect headline rates *as of Aug 2025* and can change fast. If unsure, overtype with your product’s actual HS-based rate.

Quick adjust value

Duty estimate: $0.00

Landed (value + duty): $0.00

Estimate covers *U.S. import duty only* based on the tariff %. UPS may also collect state taxes and processing/brokerage fees at delivery. Final charges depend on the correct HS code and current U.S. policy.

USA Orders - Import Duties Now Apply

Effective 29 August 2025, the United States has suspended the duty-free de minimis for low value shipments. All imports are now assessed duties and taxes.

Last updated: 23 August 2025

Quick version: If you are in the USA, you will be charged import duty and any applicable taxes by UPS on delivery. The duty rate depends on the product and its country of origin. I declare full details to help your parcel clear quickly.

What changed

On 30 July 2025, the White House announced an Executive Order that suspends the long-standing de minimis exemption for shipments valued at 800 USD or less. From 29 August 2025, all commercial imports into the USA are subject to duty and admissibility checks. Official announcements and guidance:

Executive Order suspending de minimis: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/suspending-duty-free-de-minimis-treatment-for-all-countries/
CBP e-commerce FAQ noting the change: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/e-commerce/faqs
DHS press statement: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/07/31/president-trump-ends-unfair-de-minimis-tariff-exemption-major-victory-securing

How duties are calculated with UPS

I now ship USA orders exclusively via UPS small-parcel services. UPS entries are cleared under the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule. That means your charge is product-based using the correct HS code, the item value, and the product’s country of origin. The new reciprocal tariff regime also applies based on origin. Helpful references:

UPS tariff guidance: https://www.ups.com/us/en/shipping/international-shipping/tariffs
White House reciprocal tariff update: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/further-modifying-the-reciprocal-tariff-rates/

Heads up From 8 September 2025 UPS is also introducing a 2.50 USD International Processing Fee on all U.S. imports in addition to duties and taxes. See: https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/shipping-support/shipping-costs-rates

Tariff bands by origin - UK vs EU

The latest reciprocal tariff schedule sets a 10 percent rate for United Kingdom origin goods and a 20 percent rate for European Union origin goods, unless specific sector measures apply. Sources:

UK 10 percent listing: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/further-modifying-the-reciprocal-tariff-rates/
EU 20 percent listing in Annex I: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Annex-I.pdf

Origin	Example countries	Reciprocal tariff band	Notes
United Kingdom	United Kingdom	10 percent	General goods. Separate auto and metals measures can apply by HTS heading.
European Union	Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Ireland, Sweden	20 percent	Applies to EU-origin goods broadly. Some sectors like steel and aluminium have additional Section 232 rates. See UPS and CBP links above.

Tariff bands above are headline reciprocal rates. Your final charge depends on the product’s HS code, any existing U.S. trade remedies, and local state taxes. Where sector measures apply, those stack or replace as per CBP rules.

What this means when you order from me

At checkout

I ship with UPS from the UK.
I provide full customs data: product description, HS code, value, and origin.
Prices on my website do not include U.S. duty or taxes.

On delivery

UPS will contact you to pay duty, taxes, and any applicable UPS import fees.
Please ensure your email and mobile number are correct so UPS can reach you.
Refusal of charges may result in the parcel being returned. Two-way carriage costs are not refundable once dispatched.

Examples to make it real

UK origin A 60 USD UK-made vitamin product may attract around 10 percent duty on the customs value. State tax can also apply at delivery.
EU origin A 60 USD EU-made supplement may attract around 20 percent duty on the customs value plus state tax at delivery.

These are illustrative only. Actual outcomes depend on the HS code and any overlapping U.S. measures for that category.

Frequently asked questions

Why is this happening now

The U.S. has suspended duty-free de minimis treatment for low value imports and introduced reciprocal tariffs by origin. See the official notices: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/suspending-duty-free-de-minimis-treatment-for-all-countries/ and https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/further-modifying-the-reciprocal-tariff-rates/

Is it a flat 10 percent for everything

No. The UK is 10 percent under the reciprocal tariff. The EU is 20 percent. Some product sectors have separate U.S. programs like Section 232 for metals or special vehicle quotas. Your HS code determines the correct treatment. See UPS overview: https://www.ups.com/us/en/shipping/international-shipping/tariffs

Will there be extra UPS fees

From 8 September 2025 UPS applies a 2.50 USD International Processing Fee on all U.S. imports in addition to duty and taxes. Details: https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/shipping-support/shipping-costs-rates

Once shipped, can I cancel my order

No. Once a parcel is handed to UPS it cannot be cancelled. If you refuse delivery, UPS will return it to me and—once received back in resellable condition—I’ll refund the product price minus all two-way shipping and return handling costs.

What if I refuse to pay the import duties

If duties/taxes aren’t paid, UPS will return the parcel. I don’t refund original shipping and I deduct the return carriage charged by UPS from any refund after the item arrives back in resellable condition. Easiest path: pay the duty—this is set by your government, not by me.

Can you mark my order as a gift or lower the value

No. I must declare true value, origin, and product details to comply with U.S. customs law.

How do I know the country of origin

Country of origin is where the product is manufactured. Many products I stock are made in the UK or EU; origin affects the duty rate (e.g., UK ~10 percent, EU ~20 percent under current reciprocal rates).

Our Latest Blogs

The $800 Duty-Free Rule is Gone

Duties Depend on Country of Origin

UPS Will Collect Duties Before Delivery

What Happens If You Refuse to Pay

We Still Value Our USA Customers

USA Orders - Import Duties Now Apply

What changed

How duties are calculated with UPS

Tariff bands by origin - UK vs EU

What this means when you order from me

At checkout

On delivery

Examples to make it real

Frequently asked questions

Our Latest Blogs

Language

Country

Language

Country