USA. Small incoming orders already subject to fees

The tax exemption for small parcels sent to the United States (US) ended at 00:01 (05:01 in Lisbon), with the imposition of customs tariffs leading several countries to suspend deliveries.

The exemption allowed goods worth less than $800 (€685) to be shipped without having to pay a surcharge upon entering US soil.

By decree published on July 30, US President Donald Trump decided to eliminate the exemptions, stating that he wanted to "end a catastrophic loophole used, among other things, to avoid customs duties and ship synthetic opioids, as well as other dangerous products."

Only “ gifts received in good faith ” in a private capacity and with a value of less than 100 dollars (85 euros) continue to benefit from the exemption.

According to the Border Protection Agency, small packages contain 98% of the narcotics, 97% of the counterfeits, and 70% of the hazardous materials seized during 2024.

"Closing this loophole will save thousands of lives by reducing the flow of narcotics and dangerous and prohibited products," a US official assured at a press conference, quoted by the Agence France-Presse news agency.

The number of postal packages has soared in the United States, rising, according to official data, from 134 million units in 2015 to more than 1.36 billion in 2024 .

From now on, with the exception of “gifts” worth less than $100, packages are subject to the same customs duties as any other imported goods, that is, a minimum of 10%, or 15% for those coming from European Union countries or up to 50% for India and Brazil.