By Eva Richardson – The Logistic News
March 31, 2025
A silent transformation is rippling through the logistics sector. In response to concerns about unfair competition, customs loopholes, and growing pressure on national economies, the United States and other nations are beginning to revisit the once-overlooked de minimis rule—an exemption that allows low-value imported goods to bypass duties and taxes.
While seemingly administrative, the implications of this change could redefine the structure and flow of global commerce, especially for logistics providers and cross-border e-commerce platforms.
What Is the De Minimis Rule?
The de minimis threshold is the maximum declared value of a shipment that can enter a country without incurring customs duties or taxes. In the U.S., this limit currently stands at $800, a level set in 2016 under the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act. That jump from the previous $200 threshold sparked a boom in cross-border e-commerce, with companies routing small packages into the U.S. to benefit from low compliance costs.
But what was once seen as a facilitator of consumer convenience is now drawing scrutiny from lawmakers, domestic manufacturers, and supply chain analysts.
Mounting Pressure to Reform
In recent months, calls to reform the de minimis exemption have gained momentum. Lawmakers argue that the policy, originally designed for personal parcels and low-risk imports, is now being used systematically by large global e-commerce players to route high volumes of goods into the country under a fragmented duty-free system. Critics point to rising trade deficits, revenue losses for U.S. Customs, and increased challenges in ensuring product safety and compliance.
Proposed policy reforms now seek to lower the exemption threshold, impose stricter conditions on eligibility, or even exclude shipments from certain countries entirely. While such changes may bolster domestic manufacturing and improve compliance, the effects on logistics operations will be significant.
Implications for Logistics and Air Freight
For logistics providers, particularly those specializing in international parcel delivery, the stakes are high. Higher customs thresholds have allowed for rapid processing and fewer bureaucratic hurdles. With reform, logistics firms must now prepare for an increase in documentation requirements, customs declarations, and delays at borders.
Air freight carriers, which have capitalized on the rise of fast-moving, low-value shipments, may see demand patterns shift. Some e-commerce merchants are already exploring localized inventory models to sidestep the higher import scrutiny. Others are turning to third-party logistics (3PL) providers to streamline compliance workflows.
David Buckley, a trade compliance analyst at Atlantic Global Logistics, warns:
“We’re entering a new era where customs intelligence will become a competitive differentiator. Freight forwarders who can adapt quickly to new documentation protocols and digitize compliance processes will be the ones to win.”
Industry Adaptation and Strategic Shifts
To mitigate risk and retain cross-border flows, logistics operators are re-evaluating their fulfillment strategies. Consolidated shipping models are gaining traction, where multiple low-value items are grouped into a single declaration. Meanwhile, companies are investing in automated customs processing systems, using AI to screen invoices and assign appropriate tariff codes in real time.
Others, like DHL and FedEx, have doubled down on advisory services, helping clients navigate the shifting regulatory landscape with greater precision.
E-commerce giants, on the other hand, are beginning to regionalize their distribution networks to pre-position inventory closer to key markets—reducing their dependency on de minimis shipping altogether.
Looking Ahead
While the final shape of de minimis reform in the U.S. and other markets remains under debate, the trajectory is clear: the days of duty-free e-commerce expansion at scale are numbered.
The logistics industry is now at a crossroads, balancing the demand for speed and cost-efficiency with a growing layer of regulatory complexity. Those who can pivot quickly—blending compliance, technology, and network agility—will set the new standard for global trade.
About the Author
Eva Richardson is a senior correspondent for The Logistic News, covering trade policy, global shipping, and cross-border logistics innovation.
