The Indicator from Planet Money So long, farewell, super cheap tariff-free shopping
62 snips
Sep 3, 2025 The recent elimination of the de minimis exemption is causing ripples in the American shopping landscape. International sellers, especially small businesses, are feeling the heat of new tariff regulations. Confusion reigns as postal services worldwide, like Australia Post, halt shipments to the U.S. Economic implications are profound, with concerns for low-income families facing price hikes, while local retailers struggle against cheap imports. The podcast wraps up with a glimmer of hope for future trade reforms to support American industries.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Australian Maker Stops U.S. Sales
- Jess Van Den sells sterling silver jewelry on Etsy and about 30–40% of her customers were American.
- She stopped taking U.S. orders after learning the de minimis exemption would end with little notice and unclear border fees.
Small-Parcel Boom Fueled Price Disruption
- De minimis let packages under $800 enter the U.S. without tariffs, fueling a massive growth in small parcels.
- Shipments grew from ~140 million in 2015 to over 1.3 billion last year, changing global retail dynamics.
Regulatory And Retail Frictions Emerged
- The flood of tariff-free parcels upset domestic brands and worried regulators about uninspected goods.
- Concerns included unfair competition and difficulties enforcing consumer safety and import rules.