February 24, 2026 Update: U.S. Tariffs & De Minimis Changes

Effective: February 24, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. EST

 

Three U.S. executive actions have reshaped the current tariff framework and will affect cross-border shipments entering the United States.

 

What changed

IEEPA tariffs ended
Tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act have been terminated following a Supreme Court ruling.

Still in effect:

– Section 232 tariffs (steel and aluminum)

– Section 301 tariffs (primarily China-origin goods)

 

New 10% tariff under Section 122
A temporary 10% ad valorem tariff (potential to increase to 15%*) now applies to most imported goods for up to 150 days.

Exclusions include:

– Certain critical minerals

– Pharmaceuticals and select electronics

– Passenger vehicles and aerospace products

– USMCA/CUSMA-compliant goods from Canada and Mexico (commercial shipments)

 

*Potential adjustment to 15% tariff rate
The administration has signaled its intent to increase the Section 122 tariff from 10% to 15%, which is the maximum rate permitted under this authority. This announcement was made via social media and has not yet been formalized through a signed order or CBP enforcement guidance. Until a legal instrument is issued, the tariff rate scheduled to take effect remains 10%.

 

De minimis exemption suspended
Duty-free treatment for low-value imports has been suspended for all shipments, regardless of value, origin, or shipping method.

This means:

– Low-value shipments may now be subject to duties

– Postal shipments will be assessed duties at the new 10% rate

– More shipments may require customs clearance and duty collection

 

What happens next

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is expected to release implementation guidance shortly to clarify procedures and enforcement.

Once CBP guidance is issued:

– Duty collection processes will be confirmed

– Clearance requirements and workflows may be updated

– System updates will be applied automatically where required

 

We are monitoring developments closely and will provide updates as new guidance becomes available.

August 7, 2025 – Increased Tariffs on Imports

Effective 12:01 a.m. EDT on August 7, a new U.S. Executive Order increased tariffs on many imported products based on country of origin and product classification. This could result in higher duties at the time of entry for a broad range of goods.

August 29, 2025 – De Minimis Exemption Suspended

As of August 29, the $800 USD de minimis duty exemption will no longer apply. All imports, regardless of value, will now be subject to U.S. duties and taxes. This change affects both commercial shipments through couriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL, as well as postal shipments.

 

– Gift shipments will still qualify for exemption.

– Shipments that were previously duty-free may now be delayed or incur new fees at delivery.

These updates may result in additional shipping costs, formal entry requirements, and longer clearance timelines for U.S.-bound shipments.

package on global map

Best Practices for a Smooth Clearance

To reduce the risk of delays and avoid unexpected fees, here are some key tips to keep in mind:

 

– Provide complete and accurate commercial invoice details, including:

– Product descriptions and country of origin

– 10-digit HS code

– Quantity and declared value of each item

– Importer Tax ID (EIN or SSN) for formal entries

– Include the recipient’s email and phone number to enable couriers to:

– Request additional documentation if needed

– Collect duties and taxes prior to delivery

 

For DDU (Delivered Duties Unpaid) shipments, if duties are not prepaid online, recipients may face extra fees at the door.=

packages being examined

Coming Soon to ShipTime: Tools to Help You Navigate These Changes

We know these new regulations may raise questions, and we’re here to help. That’s why ShipTime is rolling out new platform enhancements in the coming days to assist with:

 

– Improved customs documentation tools

– Automated HS Codes

– Improved duties and tax features to show cost before shipment

Stay tuned for updates. We are building features that will help you stay compliant and efficient with your cross-border shipping.

About ShipTime:

Ship Smarter – with ShipTime, we are a true partner beyond just discounted rates. We provide a best in class platform packed with features and backed by our legendary Heroic Support™ team.

 

You can sleep easy with ShipTime’s best-in-class customer care. Our bilingual team is available by phone, live chat, or email Monday – Friday from 8:30AM to 8PM EST.