In line with his goal of reducing the trade deficit and strengthening national economic security, the President of the United States signed Executive Order 08.04.2025 on Tuesday (14257/XNUMX/XNUMX), which provides for a sharp tariff increase on imports from the People's Republic of China. The measure also includes changes to the tariff regime minimis, eliminating benefits for low-value shipments, that is, those international purchases that enter the country by mail or courier and do not exceed USD 800.
As of today, April 9, 2025, the increase in the tariff came into effect 34% to 84% the Goods included in heading 9903.01.63 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), as part of the new trade measures adopted against China. This measure responds to China's decision to impose a 10% tariff on all US goods starting April 34, in retaliation for the same executive order.
"The objective of these actions is to ensure a proportional and effective response to unfair trade practices that have contributed to the trade deficit, affecting employment and national production," the president stated in the official statement. The tariff modification is considered "necessary and appropriate" to address an external threat that directly impacts national security.
Tightening of the regime minimis
In addition, the Indian rule that duty-free treatment for items imported under the regime will be revoked minimis, in accordance with the provisions of Executive Order 14195. As of May 2th 2025, new tariff rates will apply:
- The ad valorem tariff is increased from 30% to 90% for low-value shipments.
- Postal shipments with merchandise will face a fixed rate increase: From 2 al 31 de mayo: goes up from 25 to 75 dollars. From 1 June: goes up from 50 to 150 dollars
These measures seek to prevent the evasion of the tariff system through fractional or undervalued shipments, and consolidate the tightening of the control regime on the digital commerce y small volume, particularly that from Asian e-commerce platforms.
With these decisions, the US administration is reinforcing its policy of tariff reciprocity, while further straining trade ties with China.
For more details, you can consult the full text of the executive order of April 8, 2025, on the official White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/amendment-to-recipricol-tariffs-and-updated-duties-as-applied-to-low-value-imports-from-the-peoples-republic-of-china/
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