De Minimis Threshold Calculator

What Is De Minimis?

De minimis is a legal principle meaning "about minimal things." In international trade, the de minimis threshold is the maximum value of imported goods that can enter a country without formal customs entry or payment of duties and taxes. Below the threshold, customs agencies simply wave shipments through without assessment, reducing friction and cost for both importers and the customs agency itself.

How the US De Minimis Compares Globally

At $800 USD, the United States has one of the highest de minimis thresholds in the world - far above the EU's EUR 150 (~$165), Canada's CAD $20 (~$15), and essentially unlimited compared to India's zero threshold. This has made the US an attractive destination for low-cost international e-commerce, with Chinese platforms like Temu and Shein shipping billions of de minimis parcels annually directly to US consumers.

What Changed in 2025 and 2026

The US de minimis provision came under significant political scrutiny in 2025. Executive orders were issued to eliminate or restrict de minimis eligibility for goods from certain countries, particularly China. These changes are being litigated and implemented in phases, so the effective threshold for goods of Chinese origin may be significantly lower - or eliminated - by the time you read this. Always verify current rules with CBP (cbp.gov) before planning your shipping strategy around de minimis.

Impact on E-Commerce

For cross-border e-commerce sellers, the de minimis threshold determines whether your products land duty-paid or trigger import duties at the door. Selling a $90 item into the EU means customs duty on the whole value (EUR 150 threshold is above EUR 0, but VAT still applies from the first euro). In Canada, your $18 product triggers duty because the threshold is only CAD $20. Understanding these thresholds is essential for pricing international orders correctly and deciding whether to use landed-cost pricing (DDP) or pass duties to the buyer (DDU).