1. De minimis and postal update for all countries
On July 30, 2025, President Trump signed into effect an executive order effectively ending the duty-free de minimis exemption provided under 19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2)(C), regardless of value, country of origin, mode of transportation, or method of entry. Accordingly, transportation carriers will be required to collect duties on all such shipments, except certain shipments sent through the international postal network, shall be subject to all applicable duties, taxes, fees, exactions, and charges as described below:
b. A specific duty shall be assessed on each package containing goods entered for consumption, based on the effective IEEPA tariff rate applicable to the country of origin of the product as follows:
(i) Countries with an effective IEEPA tariff rate of less than 16 percent: $80 per item;
(ii) Countries with an effective IEEPA tariff rate between 16 and 25 percent (inclusive): $160 per item; and
(iii) Countries with an effective IEEPA rate above 25 percent: $200 per item.
Shipments sent through the international postal network subject to antidumping and countervailing duties or a quota must continue to be entered under an appropriate entry type in ACE to the extent required by all applicable regulations.
2. Trade deals in anticipation of Liberation Day 2
The administration’s strategy for Liberation Day 2 threatens high “reciprocal” tariffs to push trading partners into bilateral deals. Countries have negotiated for lower rates by making investment and procurement commitments for U.S. goods. Recent examples include Japan, South Korea, and the EU. The terms of each deal are unique to the country, but generally provide a lower rate than the proposed “Trade Letter” rates. In all cases, the formal terms of the “trade deals” have not been officially posted as executive orders, federal register notices, or CSMS.
3. Copper Section 232 duties
On August 1, 2025, a proclamation based on a Section 232 national‑security investigation imposes a 50% ad valorem duty on imports of semi‑finished copper goods such as pipes, sheets, wire, connectors, and other copper‑intensive products. The duty applies only to the copper content of the product; non‑copper components remain subject to other IEEPA or “reciprocal” tariffs. Copper ores, concentrates, cathodes and scrap are excluded, and automotive parts with copper are instead covered by existing Section 232 auto tariffs. The proclamation directs the Commerce Department to consider expanding the tariff to additional derivative products and to evaluate further duties on refined copper (15% in 2027 and 30% in 2028).
4. USMCA Updates
Mexico negotiated a 90-day extension of the U.S. “reciprocal tariff” deadline, effectively maintaining a trading status quo. North of the border, Canada may be looking at additional duties following multiple threats from the White House.
