Abolition of the de minimis limit in the US: what Ukrainian shippers need to know

Preparing a shipment to the USA from Ukraine? On August 29, 2025, new customs rules will come into effect in the USA — the government will completely abolish the de minimis duty-free limit of $800, which allowed low-value goods to be imported without taxes and duties. This means that all international shipments to the USA, including commercial and private parcels, will undergo full customs clearance. In this article, we will explain what this decision means and how to safely and predictably deliver shipments to the USA under the new rules.

The End of the de minimis Era: Abolition of the Duty-Free Limit in the USA

For many years, the de minimis rule (Section 321) was a key element in international trade. It allowed companies and private individuals to send goods valued up to $800 without paying duties and taxes, and without going through complex customs procedures. Thanks to this, small businesses enjoyed favorable conditions for operations, and sending gifts abroad became much easier.

Starting August 29, 2025, this limit will be abolished. From now on, absolutely all commercial shipments, regardless of their value, will be subject to duties and taxes. Even a parcel worth $1 requires official customs clearance. The only exception is for gifts: they can still be sent duty-free.

If you are sending a gift to the USA:

• the value must not exceed $100;
• the sender and recipient must be private individuals;
• the parcel must be clearly marked as “Gift / Unsolicited Gift”.

In this case, no duties or taxes apply. This is good news for those who want to send personal items or gifts to relatives or friends.

At the same time, any shipment valued over $100 or those that appear to be a commercial batch (for example, 50 T-shirts or 20 identical gadgets), will be processed under the general customs rules. It is important to understand: even if you declare a nominal value of $1, the content and quantity of goods also matter. Only genuine personal gifts are exempt from additional taxation.

We recommend conducting business and making shipments honestly and legally. If you have questions or doubts — the GlobalPost team is always ready to help and provide consultation.

GlobalPost: Your Reliable Partner in the New Customs Reality

In an era when every parcel to the USA requires a professional approach, self-managed shipments become too risky. GlobalPost is ready to handle the full complexity of the new customs procedures, ensuring peace of mind and confidence for our clients. With us, your shipments are guaranteed to reach their recipient:

• Professional customs clearance. Our specialists will handle the declaration of your cargo, correctly assign product codes, and calculate all necessary duties and taxes. We guarantee your shipment will not get stuck at customs.
• Full transparency. We will calculate the full delivery cost for you in advance, including all duties and taxes. No hidden charges and no unpleasant surprises.
• Delivery in DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) mode. At the client’s request, all duties and taxes can be paid by the sender at the time of shipment. In this case, the recipient receives the parcel without extra costs or delays.
• We work with everyone. We cooperate both with businesses exporting goods of any volume and with private individuals sending parcels or gifts. We know how to deliver everything allowed by the laws of Ukraine and the USA.
• Consulting and support. Don’t know how to prepare your shipment under the new rules? We will consult and help you at every stage. With us, it’s easy, transparent, and hassle-free!

With GlobalPost your business will easily adapt to the new rules — without stress or unnecessary risks! Use our online calculator and calculate your delivery right now!

Customs Duties for Different Countries

For Ukrainian shippers, the duty is only 10%, which is one of the lowest rates among the U.S. trading partners. For the European Union, the rate is about 20%, for Moldova – approximately 25%, for Switzerland – almost 39%, and for a number of other countries imports may be subject to tariffs of up to 50%. This level provides Ukraine with a competitive advantage and opens up additional opportunities to strengthen its position in the U.S. market.

Benefits for Ukrainian Shippers After the Changes in the USA

• New opportunities for export. After the abolition of the de minimis limit, many countries, especially in the EU, are suspending or significantly reducing shipments to the USA. For Ukrainian businesses, this opens up a unique opportunity to enter the American market during a period when competition from European companies is decreasing. Even with new duties, Ukrainian products can occupy open niches and establish themselves in the U.S. market.
• Lower duty rates for Ukraine. The USA applies more favorable conditions for Ukrainian goods compared to a number of other countries. This means that even with the new customs procedures, Ukrainian products remain competitive.
• GlobalPost takes the complexity on itself. Unlike many other companies that add hidden brokerage fees or raise rates, we work on the principle of transparency. GlobalPost calculates all duties and taxes at the shipping stage. The client immediately knows the final cost and does not risk facing unforeseen expenses.

Importantly, we do not plan to increase delivery prices — the cost of our services remains stable even after the changes in U.S. customs regulations.

Conclusion

The abolition of the de minimis rule changes the conditions of international shipments to the USA and requires every sender to pay maximum attention to detail and accuracy in document preparation. In such a situation, it is especially important to have a reliable logistics partner. By choosing GlobalPost, you gain confidence that your cargo will go through all customs procedures correctly, overcome barriers without delays, and be delivered on time without unforeseen costs.

Still have questions or planning a shipment to the USA? Contact us — we will help organize delivery quickly, legally, and without complications!