With tighter enforcement from CBP and looming changes to de minimis thresholds, now is the time to audit your customs documentation for accuracy and compliance. This guide breaks down what you need to review—and how GHY can help you stay ahead of costly penalties.
Effective May 2, 2025, goods from China and Hong Kong are no longer eligible for the de minimis exemption and must be formally entered in ACE using Type 11 or Type 01. CBP will reject de minimis and ET86 entries for covered shipments, with detailed processing guidance issued for air, truck, and international mail modes.
Canada has issued the United States Surtax Remission Order (2025) to provide targeted relief from 25% surtaxes on U.S. goods used in health care, public safety, manufacturing, and essential supply chains. The Order includes a detailed schedule of eligible products and applies to imports made before October 16, 2025.
Canada has introduced a new Remission Order to ease the impact of the 25% surtax on U.S.-origin motor vehicles, offering targeted relief to eligible importers. The measure applies to commercial imports made between April 9, 2025, and April 8, 2026, under strict eligibility and documentation requirements.
CBP has issued updated guidance implementing reciprocal tariffs, requiring additional duties on most imported goods beginning April 5, 2025, with country-specific rates effective April 9, 2025, while excluding products properly classified under specified HTSUS provisions (e.g., 8471 - 8542) if importers report secondary classification 9903.01.32 and update entries within 10 days of release to claim exemption under Executive Order 14257, as amended.
In a sharp escalation of the U.S.–China trade war, China announced it will impose 34% tariffs on all American imports starting April 10, 2025. The move directly responds to President Donald Trump's newly imposed 34% tariff on all Chinese goods, bringing total U.S. duties on Chinese imports to over 54% when combined with previous measures. China also blacklisted 11 U.S. tech and defense firms and rolled out new export controls, signaling a significant breakdown in economic relations between the two global powers.
Effective May 2, 2025, the U.S. will end de minimis duty-free treatment for imports from China and Hong Kong, requiring formal or informal entry for all shipments—including those by mail—and imposing a 120% ad valorem tariff or, for postal items, a per-item duty of $100 (rising to $200 on June 1); no duty drawback is available on the tariff. Carriers must report shipment details to CBP, maintain international bonds, and remit duties on schedule, with CBP authorized to enforce compliance and require formal entry for any package.
Effective April 10, 2025, U.S. imports from China and Hong Kong will face a 125% reciprocal tariff, up from 84% on April 9. This is in addition to the 20% IEEPA Fentanyl Tariff imposed on March 4 (previously 10% on February 4).
Effective April 10, 2025, a 10% ad valorem tariff applies to imports from all countries except China, Hong Kong, and Macau, with exceptions listed in CSMS #64680374. This measure falls under a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs (see Annex I).
Effective April 9, 2025, Canada is imposing 25% tariffs on non-CUSMA-compliant U.S.-made vehicles and on the non-Canadian, non-Mexican content of CUSMA-compliant ones. The move targets the U.S. auto sector and redirects tariff revenue to support Canadian auto workers. A full listing of affected vehicle products has been provided.
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