Ending the de minimis loophole is long overdue — bad actors have exploited cheap, low-value shipments to smuggle fentanyl and counterfeit goods into the country for years. Slapping duties on these packages levels the playing field for American retailers who've had to compete against foreign e-commerce giants gaming the system. Closing this exemption globally is a necessary step to protect national security and restore fairness in trade.
Ending de minimis will hammer everyday Americans the hardest — low-income households that rely on affordable imports will see prices jump 50% or more on basic goods. CBP isn't equipped to handle the surge in packages requiring formal processing, meaning the policy creates massive friction without actually stopping drug trafficking or counterfeiting. This is a cost imposed on working people with no guarantee the government even breaks even on the extra revenue collected.
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