What Closing the De Minimis Tariff Loophole for US Imports from China Means

A Latin term that’s been little-known outside the world of customs brokers has suddenly become the stuff of headlines. Along with imposing new 10% tariffs on all Chinese imports as of Feb. 4, US President Donald Trump ordered the suspension of his country’s special rules for “de minimis” merchandise from China and Hong Kong. The phrase — which loosely translates as “too small to matter” — refers to small packages that are shipped directly to consumers from abroad, usually bypassing warehouses an