Here's Why Here's Why A Big Tariff Problem Comes In Small Packages
Aug 29, 2025
Brendan Murray, Bloomberg's trade expert, dives into the recent abolishment of the de minimis exemption that allowed tariff-free imports under $800 for nearly 90 years. He discusses the significant impact on small businesses, shippers, and consumers. With many European postal services halting deliveries to the U.S., he reveals the challenges emerging from the new tariff regulations, including potential delays and increased costs. Plus, Murray introduces Bloomberg's Stock Movers Report for quick market insights.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
De Minimis Exception Eliminated
- The US ended the de minimis exception that let packages under $800 enter duty-free.
- About 4 million such parcels entered daily, creating a large loophole now closed.
Postal Services Suspended US Deliveries
- Several European postal services suspended parcel deliveries to the US after the change.
- They paused while they figure out how to adapt systems to the new U.S. requirements.
Scale Of Small-Parcel Imports
- The loophole ballooned to roughly 1.3 billion packages a year entering the U.S. under $800.
- That flood included many small merchants and large Chinese e-commerce platforms, creating economic concerns.