A threshold where goods below a set value can be brought into a country without paying duties, the fee incurred from tariffs.
Why might you increase and maintain a de minimus threshold, allowing the import of higher value items?
Promote e-commerce.
Ease burden on your customs operations.
Encourage global trade.
Why might you decrease the de minimus threshold?
Reduce variance in the price of local vs domestic goods.
More closely monitor imported materials.
Each has its pros and cons.
An very high level overview of de minimus thresholds per country:
- U. S. $800 (unless importing from China, then $0 threshold)
- China $7
- EU $170
- Japan $65
- India $12
Elizabeth Beeli 