New U.S. Tariffs on Products Manufactured in China and Hong Kong (UPDATE)

🚨 Update: Temporary Pause on Tariffs 🚨

The new U.S. tariffs on products manufactured in China and Hong Kong have been temporarily paused. This means that moving forward, these tariffs will not be applied—at least for the time being.

However, some shipments may still incur tariff costs for businesses that sent Chinese or Hong Kong-manufactured goods to the U.S. on or after February 4th, when the tariffs initially took effect. If you receive unexpected tariff charges, they are likely due to shipments sent before this pause was announced.

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates as needed. If you have any questions about your shipments, please contact our support team for guidance.

On 1 February 2025, U.S. President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) imposing additional tariffs on products with a country of origin (COO) of China and Hong Kong. These measures, established under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), took effect on 4 February 2025, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time.

The Executive Order also removes the De Minimis (DM) exemption for affected products, meaning that all shipments from China and Hong Kong—regardless of value—will now be subject to import duties and customs processing. Previously, shipments valued under $800 USD could enter the U.S. duty-free under the De Minimis rule, but this is no longer the case. Additionally, businesses will no longer be able to claim duty refunds on these tariffs. While this EO focuses on China and Hong Kong, President Trump also issued two additional orders imposing tariffs on goods originating from Canada and Mexico. However, these provisions have been postponed until 4 March 2025, delaying their immediate impact on trade.

How This Affects International Shipping

The new tariff structure and De Minimis suspension will have a major impact on Australian businesses that send products manufactured in China and Hong Kong to the U.S., regardless of where they are shipped from. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Higher Costs for Products Manufactured in China and Hong Kong

These new tariffs mean that businesses importing products that were manufactured in China or Hong Kong — regardless of where they are shipped from, even if they are sent from Australia — will face increased costs. This will affect retailers, manufacturers, and ecommerce businesses, as tariffs will apply based on the product’s country of origin rather than its shipping location. As a result, total landed costs will rise, potentially leading to higher prices for customers.

2. De Minimis Exemption Removed for Products Manufactured in China and Hong Kong (Regardless of Shipping Location)

Previously, businesses could send goods valued under $800 USD without duties under the De Minimis rule. That’s no longer the case. Now, all products that were manufactured in China or Hong Kong will need to go through formal or informal customs entry and will be subject to duties.

These products will be taxed based on the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which includes up to three different types of duties:

• General duty rate: 2.5% to 6%
• Section 301 tariffs: 7.5% to 100%
• New IEEPA tariffs: 10%

Please note: On the Interparcel platform, the HTSUS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States) is labeled as HS Code (Harmonized System Code) when adding it to your commercial invoice.

3. No More Duty Refunds (Drawbacks)

Previously, businesses could recover some duties on re-exported goods through a duty drawback program. This is no longer an option for products affected by these new tariffs, which could have a significant impact on companies using China or Hong Kong as manufacturing hubs.

4. Some Products Are Exempt

Certain products manufactured in China and Hong Kong will not face the new IEEPA tariffs. However, they must still go through formal or informal entry processing under the HTSUS system. The exemptions include:

• Donations
• Informational materials (e.g., books, films, posters, CDs, and similar items)

5. Expect Delays at U.S. Customs

With the new tariffs and regulations, expect longer customs clearance times. More shipments will require detailed inspections, and businesses should prepare for potential delays as U.S. customs officials implement these new policies.

6. New Documentation Requirements

Businesses shipping to the U.S. must now provide detailed commercial invoice data to help streamline customs clearance. This includes:

• Accurate product descriptions
• HTSUS classification (10-digit code)
• Country of origin (where the product was made)
• Tax ID/Social Security Number of the recipient (for shipments over $250)

Summary of Changes for Shipments from China & Hong Kong

What Businesses Should Do Now

To navigate these changes, businesses should consider the following steps:

• Review Your Supply Chain: If you rely on imports from China or Hong Kong, explore alternative sourcing options to reduce costs.
• Recalculate Pricing: With new tariffs in place, reassess your pricing model and consider strategies to absorb or pass on additional costs.
• Ensure Compliance: Ensure shipments meet new customs documentation requirements to prevent delays and avoid fines.
• Stay Informed: The situation is evolving, and businesses should regularly check for updates from government agencies and logistics providers.

The new tariffs and De Minimis rule changes mark a major shift in U.S. trade policy, impacting importers, exporters, and logistics providers worldwide. Australian businesses that send to the U.S. should take immediate steps to understand these changes, adjust their shipping strategies, and prepare for potential cost increases.

If you have any questions about how these changes impact your shipments to the U.S., our customer support team is here to help. Contact us for expert guidance on navigating these new regulations and ensuring smooth international shipping.