E-commerce platforms were already facing the closure of the duty-free loophole for parcels from China. Analysts warn that ending de minimis exemptions will not only disrupt the business models of these low-cost retail platforms and other Chinese e-commerce operators, but will also slow down delivery times. Brittain Ladd, a US supply chain consultant who previously worked at Amazon and Dell, said that ports will be overloaded with parcels. She added that the Commerce Department has implemented a new software system to handle duty payments, but that there will still be delays because ‘the volume of parcels to be processed is huge’.
And Chinese sellers on e-commerce platforms are raising prices by up to 70 per cent for US consumers.
On exemptions, customs, de minimis read: ‘Where the world is going’ temu, with questionable methods, conquering Europe
