US Ends De Minimis Exemption for China’s Opioid-Linked Goods

On April 24, the US government published a pivotal notice in the Federal Register eliminating the de minimis exemption for specific low-value shipments from China and Hong Kong tied to the synthetic opioid supply chain. 

Effective May 2, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT, specific Chinese-origin goods described in Section 2(a) of Executive Order 14195, originally issued on Feb. 7, 2025, will no longer qualify for the “de minimis” exemption under 19 U.S.C. § 1321(a)(2)(C). This exemption previously allowed low-value imports (generally under US$800) to enter the United States without duties and certain taxes. Going forward, impacted shipments must be filed as formal entries, such as entry types 11 or 01, within the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and will be subject to all applicable duties, taxes, and fees.

The move specifically targets shipments from China and Hong Kong not entering via international mail. Those that do arrive through international mail are subject to separate procedural guidelines, with formal entry now required for parcels over US$800, regardless of classification.

The rule is part of broader enforcement efforts under Executive Order 14256, reflecting the US government’s escalating response to the opioid crisis through tighter trade controls. Additionally, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is making two temporary regulatory suspensions to support the enforcement:

1. Suspension of 19 CFR 143.21(a). This affects the exception clause for items over US$250 classified in Chapter 99, Subchapters III and IV of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). It applies to all countries of origin and modes of entry. From April 30, 2025, filers may file Type 11 informal entries for goods valued at up to US$2,500.

2. Suspension of 19 CFR 145.12(b). This provision, which normally allows CBP to prepare informal mail entries, will be suspended for all mail shipments from China or Hong Kong, regardless of value.

CBP warns trade filers not to submit manifests or entries for de minimis clearance on any shipments from China or Hong Kong containing affected goods arriving on or after the May 2 deadline. All such entries will be automatically rejected under the new rules.

To ensure compliance, CBP has attached detailed carrier guidance to its Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS), particularly for those handling international mail. Carriers not transporting international mail are not subject to these specific procedures.