Reconsidering the de minimis rule

Who loses and what is gained if the US, EU, and other economies curtail de minimis exceptions to customs rules? The Financial Times Editorial Board argues against lowering de minimis thresholds to tackle Shein, Temu, and the parcel wars. Gary Clyde Hufbauer  and Megan Hogan of the Peterson Institute for International Economics find that getting rid of the rule would hurt consumers and small businesses. Pablo D. Fajgelbaum and Amit Khandelwal, writing for the National Bureau of Economic Research, analyze the value of de minimis imports. Morgan Lewis explains proposed changes to the US de minimis rules for imports.

Mentioned publications

HF sponsored access Shein, Temu and the parcel wars – The Editorial Board, Financial Times, July 5, 2024
The FT editorial board argues that lowering de minimis thresholds is too blunt a tool for tackling the challenges of ultra-low-price retailers.
Proposal to get rid of duty-free imports would punish American consumers and small businesses – Gary Clyde Hufbauer and Megan Hogan, Peterson Institute for International Economics, October 2, 2023
PIIE argues that such policies would result in a greater tariff burden on consumers and small businesses.
The Value of De Minimis Imports – Pablo D. Fajgelbaum and Amit Khandelwal, National Bureau of Economic Research, June 2024
The authors find that this form of direct-to-consumer trade advantages poor consumers.
US Senators Propose Changes to Section 321 De Minimis Imports – Morgan Lewis, August 28, 2024
Morgan Lewis describes the latest efforts by US Senators to change de minimis rules.