Customs Regulatory Updates – Americas

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: August 29, 2025

What you need to know

The President of The United States has imposed additional tariffs on imports from all countries. These tariffs apply in addition to other existing applicable duties. Further, changes have been made to the De Minimis (duty-free) treatment on low-value shipments.

De Minimis:

From August 29, 2025, the 800 USD De Minimis was effectively eliminated for all countries (for China/Hong Kong it was eliminated on May 2, 2025) and all shipments entering the United States, regardless of their value or country of origin, are subject to all applicable duties and Informal/Formal entry.

Overview of Current Existing Tariffs Based on Country of Origin or Product Specification

General Duty Rate (GDR*):

• Rates vary according to product classification of HTSUS*

Section 301:

• For China-made products, rate varies according to product classification; most products are subject to 7.5% or 25%

IEEPA*:

• China/Hong Kong: 20% IEEPA* Opioid + 10% IEEPA* Reciprocal (to increase to 34% on November 10, unless United States and China agree differently)
• Canada: 35% IEEPA* Opioid for non-qualifying USMCA* products and 10% energy products
• Mexico: 25% IEEPA* Opioid for non-qualifying USMCA* products
• European Union/Japan: 15% IEEPA* Reciprocal including GDR* (Products subject to a ≥15% GDR* have a 0% IEEPA* Reciprocal)
• Brazil: 10% IEEPA* Reciprocal + 40% IEEPA* additional
• India: 25% IEEPA* Reciprocal + 25% IEEPA* additional
• Rest of the World: IEEPA* Adjusted Reciprocal for specific countries, otherwise a 10% IEEPA* Reciprocal rate applies

Section 232:

• Autos and auto parts: 25%
  • Auto parts from the United Kingdom: 10% including GDR*
  • Auto parts from the European Union and Japan: 15% minus GDR* (for products with a GDR* <15%, and 0% for products with GDR* ≥15%)
• Steel, Aluminum and Copper products and derivatives: 50%
  • United Kingdom: 25%
  • Russia: aluminum 200%
• Timber, Lumber, and derivative products from October 14, 2025:
  • 10% softwood timber and lumber
  • 25% upholstered wooden products (30% on January 1, 2026)
  • 25% kitchen cabinets and vanities, including parts (50% on January 1, 2026)
  • Imports from United Kingdom are capped at 10%
  • Imports from the European Union and Japan: 15% minus GDR* (for products with a GDR* <15%, and 0% for products with GDR* ≥15%)
• Ongoing investigations on several sectors:
  • Civil aircraft and jet engines
  • Trucks and truck parts
  • Critical minerals
  • Semiconductors
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Unmanned Aerial Aircraft
  • Wind turbines and wind turbine parts
  • Polysilicon

Definitions:

• HTSUS*: Harmonized Tariff Schedule of The United States
• IEEPA*: International Emergency Economic Powers Act
• USMCA*: United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement
• GDR*: General Duty Rate

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: January 1, 2025

What you need to know

Mexico’s Authorities implemented several major regulatory changes impacting the clearance of Low-value shipments imported through Informal/simplified entries by Express companies. These changes include additional and more detailed data elements:

• Detailed goods description
• Consignee’s TAX ID (RFC/CURP), email address and phone number
• Abolition of De minimis value threshold (with some exceptions)
• Changes to value thresholds and importer registration requirements for low value clearances

DOF – Diario Oficial de la Federación  

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: December 3, 2024

What you need to know

The Argentina Customs Authority (ARCA) has published regulatory changes to facilitate the clearance of Informal (Low-Value) shipments:

• Effective December 3, 2024: Establish a De Minimis value threshold within the “Small Shipment” regime for shipments of up to 400 USD based on the value of the goods (FOB). Imports within this value threshold will be exempted from import customs duties and the Customs Statistical Fee but will continue to pay a VAT tax of 0%, 10.5%, or 21% based on the tariff classification (HS code) and other applicable taxes.
• Effective December 4, 2024: Increase the informal import value threshold from 1,000 USD to 3,000 USD based on the value of the goods (FOB).

Detailed information can be found at the Argentina Customs Authority website: General Resolution 5608/2024 increasing import value thresholds.

General Resolution 5608/2024  

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: October 15, 2024

What you need to know

For Low value shipments (of less than 2,000 USD and 50Kg) to Colombia that require the application of a specific Tariff Classification Code for tariff benefits, must include the 10-digit Import Tariff Classification Code in the air waybill. If not included, the tariff benefits cannot be applied, and the generic Express/Courier Tariff Classification Code 9807200000 (with 10% duty and 19% tax) will apply as per the standard express courier process.

Resolution 0039 of 2021/ Decree 360 of 2021  
Tariff–DIAN  
Modality-Postal traffic and urgent shipments  

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: August 1, 2024

New Import duty rates under “Programa Remessa Conforme” (PRC) – Compliant Shipment Program

What you need to know

• Value basis for duty/tax calculation for all Low-Value Shipments (shipments up to 3,000 USD) changes from the “value of the goods” (FOB) to the “purchase value of the goods” (CIF).
• New import customs duty rates for Business-to-Consumer (B2C) shipments under PRC:
  • Shipments with value up to 50 USD (CIF): 20% Duty/17% Tax
  • Shipments with value from 50.01 USD to 3,000 USD (CIF): 60% Duty with a 20 USD discount/17% Tax
• All shipments up to 3,000 USD (CIF) NOT eligible for PRC will continue to be subject to a 60% Duty/17% Tax.

Shippers:

• Provide complete and accurate Commercial Invoice data, ideally via one of the DHL Express Electronic Shipping Solutions. This will help to categorize and process the shipments adequately, including those qualifying for the PRC preferential treatment.
• PRC-registered e-commerce companies must consider the new applicable import customs duty rates to calculate and collect accurate duties and taxes from their clients in Brazil.

Explanation of New Rules  
Compliant Shipment Program (PRC) and How to Register  
List of PRC-registered companies  
Provisional Measure N 1,236  

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: April 1, 2024

What you need to know

The Jamaican Customs Authorities increased the Import Customs Duties and Taxes De Minimis value threshold from 50 USD to 100 USD based on the value of the goods. The De Minimis value allows personal items to be imported into Jamaica without additional Import Customs Duties and Taxes.

Jamaica Customs Agency Website   

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: June 28, 2024

What you need to know

Per El Salvador customs authorities, personal (non-commercial) shipments, not exceeding US$300 (declared value of the goods) sent by private individual shippers to private individuals in El Salvador, are exempt from import permit requirements.

El Salvador Customs    

For: Importers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: May 13, 2024

What you need to know

• The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) is a multi-year initiative that is changing the way CBSA manages commercial goods being imported into Canada, including collection of duties and taxes
• The CARM Client Portal (CCP) was launched for use by importers, customs brokers and trade consultants, who must register and create an account
• Importers into Canada will need to register and delegate authority to their respective broker, such as DHL, via CCP, enabling them to manage their commercial importation activities
• DHL can help you understand what CARM means to you

DHL Express – Understanding CARM  

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: June 21, 2022

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) has established rules regarding importing products from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region into the United States.

What you need to know

• Customs authorities may detain, exclude, and/or seize and forfeit items
• The Importer of Record may be required to provide evidence clearly confirming items are not the product of forced labor

U.S. Customs and Border Protection