CBP kept the de minimis suspension in place and added a 10% import surcharge in February 2026
CBP title: Continuing the Suspension of Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries
This message is from February 23, 2026. Later CSMS messages may have changed it. See the latest trade news
What did CBP announce?
CBP announced that, starting February 24, 2026, all goods lost eligibility for duty-free de minimis treatment, regardless of country of origin, except for limited items like donations and personal baggage. CBP also announced a 10 percent import surcharge on most goods entered on or after that date. International mail shipments were to keep following existing duty collection processes, and other shipments that previously qualified for de minimis had to be filed as a regular ACE entry type.
What is Allied's position?
The 10 percent import surcharge described in this message applied only from February 24, 2026 to July 24, 2026 and has since ended. The de minimis suspension for all countries, including mail, remains in effect today, so we continue to file formal or informal entries for shipments that previously would have qualified for the de minimis exemption. If clients are unsure how this affects a specific shipment or entry, they should ask us to review it.
General information, not legal advice.
What does the CBP message say?
Pursuant to the proclamation issued by the President on February 20, 2026, Imposing a Temporary Import Surcharge to Address Fundamental International Payment Problems (https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/02/imposing-a-temporary-import-surcharge-to-address-fundamental-international-payments-problems/), effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on February 24, 2026, all goods entering the United States regardless of country of origin are subject to an additional 10% import surcharge, unless specifically exempt. Additionally, pursuant to the Executive Order, Continuing the Suspension of Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries (https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/02/continuing-the-suspension-of-duty-free-de-minimis-treatment-for-all-countries/), issued on the same day, all goods entering the United States regardless of country of origin remain ineligible for the administrative exemption from duty and certain tax at 19 U.S.C. § 1321(a)(2)(C) (“de minimis treatment”), unless they are goods covered by the exception at 50 U.S.C. 1702(b), i.e., certain donations, information/informational materials, and accompanied baggage for personal use.
The processes currently in place to file entry and collect duties on shipments that previously qualified for de minimis treatment, including those entering through international mail, will remain in place. Other than shipments sent through the international postal network that are subject to section 3 of Executive Order 14324, as amended by the Executive Order of February 20, 2026, all shipments that would have qualified for de minimis treatment prior to Executive Order 14324 must be filed as an appropriate entry type in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).
International mail shipments will continue to follow the processes detailed in CSMS # 66311990 - UPDATED GUIDANCE: Payment of Duty on International Mail Shipments pursuant to Executive Order 14324 “Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries”. Carriers or qualified parties acting on their behalf will continue to collect and remit duties on international mail shipments using the processes currently in place. For more information on filing processes, please refer to the CSMS messages below:
- CSMS # 65029543 - Update to GUIDANCE: Federal Register Notice Published on De Minimis Requirements Per Executive Order 14256 and Guidance for Carriers Transporting International Mail (https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCBP/bulletins/3e045a7)
• CSMS # 66311990 - UPDATED GUIDANCE: Payment of Duty on International Mail Shipments pursuant to Executive Order 14324 “Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries” (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flinks-1.govdelivery.com%2FCL0%2Fhttps%3A%252F%252Fcontent.govdelivery.com%252Faccounts%252FUSDHSCBP%252Fbulletins%252F3f3d736%2F1%2F0100019c0aafcdc5-2718ac32-b7c4-4bab-bee7-e68437cdce29-000000%2F8Gy72gWVYB5Vv_vz3JAAzEGiDQHTbfnMK7O5ujy9Fa4%3D442&data=05%7C02%7Cchristopher.mabelitini%40cbp.dhs.gov%7C5004a0918703470048b608de5f576d87%7Ce4b16b844c564f279af730345a161ad4%7C0%7C0%7C639053026443555000%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=UGs61NV5AElAjs1V%2BRK%2FvhzMGLXUQjnLtYjkQqWc1v0%3D&reserved=0).
Additional guidance will be published as needed. Questions regarding these requirements can be sent to TradeRelations@cbp.dhs.gov (mailto:TradeRelations@cbp.dhs.gov).
Related messages: CSMS # 65029543; 65934463; 66002708; 65990231; 66033571