We're watching this situation closely as it develops. Our team is reviewing all official government updates and figuring out what these changes mean for the Faire community. We'll share updates as we learn more. The unprecedented nature of some of these changes means that we may not have certainty on some issues until U.S. Customs begins executing new policies.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or customs compliance advice. Brands and retailers remain responsible for ensuring shipments comply with applicable laws and regulations. Consult with your legal counsel and your customs broker to understand your obligations.
What are tariffs?
A tariff is duties paid on products that go from one country to another. The most common type of tariff is a fixed percentage tax on the value of the imports (goods).
Who is responsible for paying any cost associated with the increased tariffs?
The importer—the party purchasing goods from another country—is responsible for all costs associated with importing, including tariffs. Typically the retailer is the purchasing party and therefore is the importer.
What are the changes to US tariffs?
Baseline Tariff and Reciprocal Tariffs
On April 2, 2025, President Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on all US imports which took effect on April 5, 2025 at 12:01 AM ET for most countries. New country-specific reciprocal tariffs were announced on July 31, 2025 and replaced the 10% baseline rate for affected countries on August 7, 2025. Details about these rates can be found in Annex 1 of this Executive Order. For countries not listed, a default 10% reciprocal rate applies. Please keep in mind that reciprocal rates are applied in addition to rates established by other policies, and so may not be indicative of the total tariff rate percentage.
Additionally, another July 31, 2025 Executive Order confirmed that the tariff rate for general goods from Canada would increase to 35%, except for goods that qualify under USMCA rules of origin, which will remain duty-free (0%), effective August 1, 2025. Learn more about the US - Mexico - Canada Agreement ( USMCA) here.
De Minimis Exception
On July 30, 2025, the US announced that it will remove the de minimis exemption for all goods from all other countries, effective August 29, 2025. This follows an earlier policy change on May 2, 2025, which had already ended the exemption for goods originating from China and Hong Kong.
Before August 29, shipments valued at $800 or less could enter the US duty-free via the international postal system (except products originating from China/Hong Kong as of May 2025). As of August 29, 2025, this exemption was eliminated for all international commercial shipments. Under the new policy, all international shipments — regardless of value or origin — will be subject to import duties and formal customs processing.
This is an active and fast-moving situation, and we recommend that you visit The White House Executive Orders for up to date information about tariff changes.
What is the de minimis exemption?
The de minimis tax exemption is a law that Congress passed that allows shipments bound for American businesses and consumers valued under $800 (per person, per day) to enter the US free of duty and taxes. As of May 2, 2025, this exemption no longer applied to imports made in and shipped from China. As of August 29, 2025, this exemption was eliminated for all international commercial shipments. This means that no package valued under $800 will be allowed into the U.S. tariff-free, regardless of the country of origin (unless a different exemption applies, such as the USMCA).
What is the US de minimis policy change announced on July 30, and how does it impact international shipments?
On July 30, 2025, the U.S. announced that it will remove the de minimis exemption for all goods from all other countries, effective August 29, 2025.
This follows an earlier policy change on May 2, 2025, which had already ended the exemption for goods originating from China and Hong Kong.
Under the new policy, all international shipments — regardless of value or origin — will be subject to import duties and formal customs processing.
Effective August 29, goods shipped internationally through the postal system will be charged one of the following:
- Ad valorem duty: A percentage-based tariff, calculated based on the value of the goods and the tariff rate of the country of origin.
- Specific duty: A temporary flat-rate fee of $80 to $200 per item (i.e., package), depending on the country of origin’s tariff rate. This option will be available only for the first six months after the policy goes into effect.
Shipping carriers will determine which of the duty calculations they will use for all shipments. After the six-month transition period, all international shipments will default to the ad valorem duty structure.
How will duties be applied following the removal of the de minimis exemption on August 29?
As of August 29, goods shipped internationally through the postal system are charged one of the following:
- Ad valorem duty: A percentage-based tariff, calculated based on the value of the goods and the tariff rate of the country of origin; or
- Specific duty: A temporary flat-rate fee of $80 to $200 per item (i.e., package), depending on the country of origin’s tariff rate. This option will be available only for the first six months after the policy goes into effect.
Only packages sent through the international postal network (e.g., U.S.P.S., Royal Mail, etc.) have the option of paying the specific duty instead of the ad valorem duty. After the six-month transition period, all international shipments will default to the ad valorem duty structure.
When might a specific duty flat-rate fee apply, and how is the amount determined?
The flat-rate duty is a temporary fee of $80 to $200, based on the country of origin’s tariff rate. This special duty may apply to goods shipped through international postal services (e.g., the United States Postal Service, Royal Mail, etc.) and could apply only during the first six months after the policy takes effect on August 29, 2025.
If a specific flat-rate duty applies, it will replace the percentage-based tariff (the “ad varolem duty”).
We believe the specific flat-rate duty is likely to apply to an entire package or parcel as a whole (e.g., one $80-$200 fee per package), with the ultimate determination made by U.S. Customs.
The rate is based on the IEEPA tariff rate (a special duty rate under U.S. emergency trade rules) for the country where the goods were shipped from (details about these rates can be found in Annex 1 of this Executive Order):
- $80 per package or parcel – if the origin country's effective rate is less than 16%
- $160 per package or parcel – if the rate is between 16% and 25%
- $200 per package or parcel – if the rate is higher than 25%
If your shipment qualifies, the carrier the brand is shipping your order through, will decide whether to apply the flat-rate duty or continue using the ad valorem method. This flexibility allows some carriers to potentially reduce complexity for smaller, low-value items—but only during the initial six-month transition period.
To learn more about how this may apply, visit How will the specific duty flat-rate fee amount be applied, by item or package?
What countries does the de minimis import exemption impact?
On May 2, 2025, this exemption stopped applying to imports made in or shipped from China. Effective August 29, 2025, this exemption was eliminated for all international commercial shipments. This means no commercial package valued under $800 will be allowed into the U.S. tariff-free, regardless of the country of origin (unless a different exemption applies, such as the USMCA).
How will duty estimates be calculated for USMCA products?
If a brand marks a product as USMCA compliant, we will not display duty estimates for that product. When you add it to your cart or proceed to checkout, no duty cost will be shown—since these items should be duty-free according to the brand’s certification.
Duties estimates are provided on a product level, so if brands have a mix of USMCA compliant and non-compliant products, you may see duty estimates in your cart for that brand and at checkout for the products that are not exempt from duty fees by USMCA. Learn more about USMCA compliance here.
Will any orders still qualify for the de minimis exemption?
Yes — but only in limited cases.
- As of May 2, 2025, the de minimis exemption no longer applies to goods made in or shipped from China or Hong Kong.
- Goods from other countries can still qualify if they crossed the border before August 29, 2025 — but only if the total value is under $800 and meets all US Customs requirements.
- Orders crossing the U.S. border after August 29, 2025, will no longer qualify for the de minimis exemption based on the U.S. de minimis policy change announced on July 30, 2025.
Important to know:
The $800 limit applies to the total value of goods shipped from the same brand to the same retailer and processed by US Customs on the same day — even if the order is split into multiple packages. If the total exceeds $800, the exemption may not apply. Effective August 29, 2025, the de minimis exemption was eliminated entirely for all international shipments. That means every commercial package entering the US will be subject to import duties, no matter where it comes from or how much it’s worth.
What is the value of goods used to determine the de minimis exemption?
Before August 29, 2025, international shipments valued under $800 per person, per day may qualify for the de minimis exemption, allowing them to enter the US without duties or taxes. The value of goods refers to the amount you paid for the products before taxes, shipping, or any promotional discounts or credits.
After August 29, 2025, the US will eliminate the de minimis exemption for all international commercial shipments. This means that all shipments—regardless of value or origin—will be subject to import duties and formal customs processing.
After August 29, duties will be calculated in one of two ways:
- Ad valorem duty: A percentage-based fee based on the value of your goods and the country-specific tariff rate.
- Specific duty: A temporary flat-rate fee of $80 to $200 per item(i.e., package), depending on the country of origin. This option will only be available during a six-month transition period.
Shipping carriers will choose which duty calculation method to apply. After the transition period of 6 months, all shipments will default to the ad valorem duty structure.
How will this impact import tariffs that retailers in the US pay?
US retailers won’t pay fees on orders shipping from the US but will incur fees on orders shipping from outside the US — regardless of order value.
The duty amount depends on the brand’s Ship from location, visible on the brand page.
For international orders, shipping carriers will decide whether to apply either:
- A percentage-based duty (based on order value and country of origin), or
- A temporary flat-rate fee ($80–$200 per package), applicable for a 6-month transition period.
The duty percentage depends on the brand’s shipping location, which retailers can view at the top right corner of the brand’s page under Ship from location.
Additionally, US brands that source materials, components, or finished products internationally may face higher production costs, potentially leading to fluctuations in wholesale pricing.
How does this impact import tariffs that retailers in other countries pay?
Currently, retailers outside the US are not affected by US import tariffs, so you shouldn’t expect any additional fees when purchasing from US brands at this time.
If your country introduces import fees on US products, charges may apply in the future. We will update this article with any new developments.
How will this impact US brands’ pricing?
US brands who source materials, components, or finished products internationally, may experience a rise in production costs, affecting both their wholesale and direct-to-consumer pricing.
Can I still receive orders from outside of the US during the global postal suspension?
A number of national postal providers have temporarily paused shipments to the US. This is due to uncertainty around new technical requirements tied to tariff changes to the de minimis exemption, which took effect on August 29, 2025.
The good news is that shipments sent through UPS, DHL (Express service) and FedEx remain unaffected. These carriers are available via Ship with Faire, and brands can continue to send orders via these carriers to the US without disruption.
If you suspect an order is affected by this suspension, please contact support for assistance with the next steps.
Is there anything I can do to offset the cost of tariffs?
Explore cost-saving programs. Faire Insider members can access free shipping from thousands of brands—a significant advantage when managing rising costs. This membership program can help offset some of the tariff-related increases you may be experiencing.
Is there anything I can do to avoid these tariffs?
Use Faire’s discovery tools to diversify your product mix with locally produced items that are less likely to be affected by new tariffs.
The Ship from filter can help you identify brands that ship within the US. US retailers won’t pay fees on orders shipping from the US but may incur fees on orders shipping from outside the US The duty percentage depends on the brand’s shipping location, which you can view on the brand page or filter for using Ship from.
Additionally, the Made in filter allows you to find local suppliers that are less likely to source materials or components internationally. Brands who source internationally may experience a rise in production costs, which may affect their wholesale pricing. This filter indicates where a product is manufactured, based on information set by brands at both the shop and product levels. When available, product-level Made in country details are prioritized in search results.
Are import duties covered by my Insider membership?
No. We temporarily covered import duties for US Insider retailers on eligible orders placed through June 30, 2025. This was a limited-time benefit and is no longer available.
If you place an order from an international brand—regardless of your Insider membership status or any past free duties—you’ll be responsible for any import duties charged by customs as the importer. You can learn more about your benefits as a US Insider by visiting How does Insider work for US retailers?
My order was shipped before tariffs went into effect, will I still be charged the additional duties fees?
Tariffs are applied based on when an order crosses the border, not when it is placed or shipped. This means the applicable duties will be determined by the tariff rates in effect at the time your order enters the country. For example, if your order shipped before August 29th but did not cross the border until after that date, it will be subject to the removal of the de minimis exemption.
I want to cancel my order as I cannot afford the tariff fees, what can I do?
We understand that at the time of purchase, you were not expecting the extra tariffs that will be applied to your order. As long as the brand has not accepted and started processing the order you can cancel without their approval.
To cancel an order:
- Hover over your Account icon and select Orders.
- Find the order you’d like to cancel and select Cancel items.
- A confirmation pop-up will appear where you will be prompted to select a cancellation reason and have the option of leaving a note for the brand about the cancellation.
- Once you select the Cancel Order button in the pop-up, the order will be canceled right away.
If the brand has already started processing your order, you can submit a request to cancel the order, and the brand will be able to accept or decline your request.
To request a cancellation:
- Select your Account icon.
- Choose Orders from the drop-down menu.
- Find the order you’re hoping to cancel and select Request cancellation.
- A pop-up will surface where you will be prompted to select a cancellation reason (required), and can choose to leave a note for the brand regarding your request to cancel (optional).
- Once you select the Request cancellation button in the pop-up, your cancellation request will go to the brand to either accept or decline. The brand has 2 days to respond; if they do not, the request will be automatically declined.
You cannot request to cancel an order once it’s been shipped. However, if this is your first order with a brand, you may be eligible for a free return. Please review our return guidelines to determine if your order qualifies for free returns.
Do Faire’s shipping and duties estimates include these new tariffs?
Duties are calculated based on the type of goods being imported, as determined by the tariff codes provided by the brand. We provide an estimate for the cost of duties at checkout, and you will receive an invoice from the carrier upon import. We use a third-party service to help provide estimates at checkout; however, the final cost is determined by customs. Our third-party partner is actively working to ensure their systems are up to date following any change.
I noticed that the duty rate I saw at checkout was incorrect. Can I receive a refund for this?
Tariff estimates are included in the duties displayed at checkout. Since tariffs are charged by the carrier, we cannot guarantee the exact cost. However, we have updated our duty calculations at checkout to provide the best possible estimate of the tariffs you may be charged, and we will continue to adjust these as tariff rates change. Our estimates do not include additional administrative fees charged by the carrier.
How can I get more information about my duties bill?
While Faire can assist with shipping-related inquiries, we are not the importer. Therefore, the carrier cannot provide us with information about import costs, such as duties. For the most accurate information about import fees, retailers should contact the carrier directly.
Are there other fees applied to my international order?
Yes, international orders may be subject to other fees separate from duties when they cross the border. Some common examples of additional fees include the following, note this is not an exhaustive list:
- A disbursement fee: Sometimes called an advancement fee is a charge from the shipping carrier for paying import duties to customs on your behalf before delivering your shipment.
- Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): A fee for handling formal customs entries.
- PSS (Peak Season Surcharge): Carriers implement PSS during the shipping peak season (between July and October) to cover the increase in operational costs.
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Storage fee: Carriers may charge this fee for having to hold your shipment at a location, be it a deconsolidation warehouse, trucking yard, or otherwise will incur storage fees.
Faire only provides an estimate for the duties, taxes and government fees. Still other fees may apply to your order. For the most accurate information about import fees, retailers should contact the carrier directly.
Is Faire making any changes to support customers with these new tariffs in place?
Our team is carefully reviewing all the official communications coming in from various governments and working to understand exactly what these changes mean for our Faire community.
Rest assured that we're here to help you stay compliant with all regulations and are committed to navigating these changes together. We are actively investigating ways to improve our platform in light of this news and will share more information as it becomes available.
How will the specific duty flat-rate fee amount be applied, by item or package?
Items imported through the international postal network are likely to be assessed a specific duty per package, and not per good within a package.
Please note: Ultimate determination lies with U.S. Customs, and if your shipment includes multiple packages, the flat rate duty will be applied to each package separately. This means you will be charged: flat rate × number of packages.
A brand is telling me that the new tariffs policies do not apply to their products, how do I confirm this is true?
Effective August 29, 2025, the US has removed the $800 de minimis exemption. This exemption allowed low-value orders to enter the country duty-free. After this date, all orders that go through the US border may be charged duties, unless they qualify for an exemption, such as those under the USMCA for goods originating in Canada or Mexico.
If a brand has stated that you will not be charged duties for their products, we recommend asking them to clarify which specific exemption applies, or if they will be covering the duties costs on your behalf. This will help ensure that duties are correctly applied (or not) at the time of import.
We’re also happy to support you in this process. If you'd like us to follow up with a brand on your behalf, just let us know which brand(s) you'd like us to contact. We'll confirm the applicable duty status for their products and follow up with you as soon as we have more information.