Overview

U.S. Customs announced a sweeping reduction in import duties on a wide range of goods sourced from China, a change that takes effect immediately. At the same time, officials signaled a tightening of the de minimis exemption, meaning that some low‑value parcels may now be subject to duty. Amazon’s European Fulfillment Network also rolled out a new routing option that lets sellers serve Irish shoppers from fulfillment centers located elsewhere in the EU. Together, these updates reshape cost calculations and inventory strategies for Amazon merchants.

Key Points

• Tariff cut — Duty rates on many Chinese‑origin product categories have been lowered or eliminated, directly reducing landed costs for sellers.
• De minimis shift – The value ceiling that previously allowed duty‑free entry for small shipments is being reduced, potentially adding fees to low‑price orders.
• Ireland fulfillment flexibility – Amazon now permits Prime‑eligible deliveries to Ireland from any EU fulfillment hub, removing the need for a dedicated Irish stock pool.
• Implementation schedule – Tariff reductions are active today, while the revised de minimis threshold is slated to roll out within the next few weeks, giving sellers a narrow window to adjust.
• Margin impact – Sellers with high‑priced items stand to gain from the duty cut, whereas those relying on duty‑free treatment for inexpensive goods may see new expenses.

How the New Tariff and De Minimis Rules Work

1. Tariff reduction rollout — Customs has either removed or lowered the percentage applied to a broad set of Chinese‑made categories.

   • Example: A vendor importing a bulk lot of silicone spatulas that previously incurred a 3 % duty can now ship the same quantity with little or no tariff, shrinking the per‑unit landed cost.

2. De minimis threshold adjustment — The exemption limit that allowed parcels under a certain dollar value to enter the U.S. duty‑free is being decreased.