US to cut 'de minimis' tariff on China shipments to 54% from 120%
HONG KONG (Reuters) -The United States would cut the low value "de minimis" tariff on China shipments to 54% from 120%, with a flat fee of $100 to remain, starting from May 14, modifying an earlier order imposed by Washington, a White House executive order said on Monday. The de minimus exemption, for items valued at up to $800 and sent from China via postal services, were previously able to enter the United States duty free and with minimal inspections. In February, President Donald Trump ended the de minimis exemption by imposing a tax of 120% of the package's value or a planned flat fee of $200 - set to come into effect by June - after it was heavily used by companies such as Shein, Temu and other e-commerce firms as well as traffickers of fentanyl and other illicit goods.