Navigating Change: What E-Commerce Importers Should Watch in 2025
- Noel Tran
- Jul 9
- 4 min read
E-commerce is rapidly growing in the U.S., driving a surge in small-package imports. While these shipments offer convenience, they pose significant inspection and enforcement challenges for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Like larger container shipments, they carry health, safety, and economic security risks, but at a much higher volume. Criminals exploit this by using small packages to smuggle illicit goods, believing the risk of detection and penalties is lower. Additionally, many new or occasional importers lack knowledge of customs regulations, increasing the risk of non-compliance.
Therefore, CBP must strengthen its resources and processes to manage this growing and complex trade environment. Here are points that may help e-commerce or small business importers stay informed about recent and upcoming changes in U.S. customs regulations:
1 - De Minimis Reform
Under Section 321, goods valued at $800 de minimis threshold may enter the U.S. without payment of duties or taxes and without filing a formal entry. One person may import multiple shipments on one day so long as the aggregate fair market value of the shipments does not exceed $800. If any single shipment imported that day breaches the $800 ceiling, then none of the shipments imported that day may be entered under Section 321 (Entry Type 86).
Examples:
One person can import 4 shipments each valued at $200 in one day
One person can import 1 shipment a day valued at $800 or less
When a shipment exceeds the $800 threshold, it must instead be entered as a Type 11 informal or Type 01 formal entry.
Section 321 does not allow merchandise subject to:
Antidumping and countervailing duties.
Quota.
A tax imposed under the Internal Revenue Code that is collected by other agencies on imported goods (e.g. alcohol and tobacco products, etc.).
Fees not waived by another government agency.
In accordance with Executive Order 14256 of April 2, 2025, as of May 2, 2025, all imported products of China (including Hong Kong) are no longer eligible for the administrative exemption under 19 U.S.C. § 1321(a)(2)(C). Imported products of China, which are mailed to another country from China or Hong Kong, but ultimately destined for the U.S. are thus ineligible for the de minimis exemption.
This regulatory overhaul will particularly affect e-commerce platforms with supply chains heavily reliant on China-sourced goods. Platforms like Amazon, Temu, and Shein, which rely heavily on this rule for low-cost, high-volume shipments, could face cost increases, customs processing delays, and inventory management challenges. Importers using these platforms or modeling their operations after them should prepare contingency plans.
2 - Avoid penalties when declaring country of origin
Imported goods that are produced in Hong Kong that are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption into the United States after the transition period must be marked to indicate that their origin is “China”. Goods which are improperly or falsely marked may be brought into a Foreign Trade Zone under a permit to manipulate to correct or remove such marking so as to comply with the laws and regulations.
On May 2, 2025, articles sent to the United States through the international postal network that are shipped from China or Hong Kong, which are valued at $800 or less, shall be subject to:
An ad valorem duty of 120 percent of the value of the shipment; or
A specific duty of $100 per shipment (effective 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 1, 2025, the specific duty becomes $200 per shipment).
3 - What data importers must provide & Compliance Tips for E-Commerce
As CBP has extended and expanded its Section 321 Data Pilot (which clearly identify the entity causing the 321 shipment to move, the final recipient, and the contents of the package) through August 2025, signaling a continued focus on improving data visibility for low-value e-commerce shipments. CBP is requiring more accurate, advance data to manage risks associated with de minimis entries.
The importer of record (owner, purchaser, or customs broker) needs to prepare the following data elements with CBP prior to or upon arrival of, the cargo:
The bill of lading or the air waybill number
Entry number
Planned port of entry
Shipper name, address, and country
Consignee name and address
Country of origin (in English)
Quantity (number of items in each box, bale, case, or other package)
Fair retail value in the country of shipment (in U.S. dollars)
10-digit HTSUS number
IOR number of the owner, purchaser, or broker
Other Government Agency Requirements
4 - Use of Licensed Customs Brokers
CBP is increasing scrutiny of e-commerce shipments for intellectual property rights (IPR) violations, underreported values, and safety risks. Companies should expect more inspections, penalties, and audits if documentation is lacking or declarations are inaccurate.
2025 is a pivotal year for U.S. e-commerce importers. Monitoring regulatory updates and strengthening compliance strategies especially for China-origin goods will be critical to avoiding disruption and penalties.
Navigating these changes without expert support is risky. A licensed U.S. customs broker can help ensure proper tariff classification, accurate declarations, and compliance with evolving requirements especially for new importers or high-volume sellers.
Contact Spirit CHB Inc – A Trusted U.S. Customs Brokerage with 20+ Years of Experience
📧 Import@spiritchbinc.com📞 714-383-9973
📌 Disclaimer & Contact Information
This blog post is intended to provide general information. It does not constitute legal advice or a comprehensive compliance guide. For specific questions or assistance with your import transactions, please consult official U.S. Customs and Border Protection resources or reach out to a licensed customs broker.
For more information, visit the official CBP website: https://www.cbp.gov
Or contact Spirit CHB, Inc. – A Trusted Customs Brokerage📞 Phone: (714) 383-9973
Comments