US Import Duty Changes Are Now in Effect: What Shoppers Need to Know

Dear Valued Onemall.jp Customer,

Thank you for your continued support of Onemall.jp.

*OneMall Tax Collection Starts Aug 22 — Fees already charged will be adjusted (refunded or supplemented) after the policy is announced.

Update — June 2026: The U.S. suspended its $800 de minimis duty-free exemption on August 29, 2025, and the change remains in effect — all U.S.-bound packages may be subject to customs duties regardless of value. The temporary flat-rate postal duty arrangement ended on February 28, 2026, and Japan Post resumed U.S.-bound service on April 14, 2026. For the most current duty rates by shipping channel, please check your order page at OneMall checkout. The original announcement below is retained for reference.

We are writing to provide you with final guidance regarding the changes to the U.S. import duty policy that took effect on August 29, 2025. The U.S. government has announced that effective August 29, 2025, the “de minimis” rule, which allows goods valued under $800 to enter the country duty-free, will be suspended.

1. The Policy Change and Its Scope

• Core Change: Previously, most personal shipments valued at less than $800 were exempt from duties. This exemption will be suspended starting August 29, 2025.
• Scope of Impact: This change applies to all U.S.-bound commercial shipments for which the international shipping fee is paid on or after the effective date.

2. New Tariff Rules for Our Shipping Channels

Effective August 29, 2025, all shipments to the United States will be subject to the following duties:

1. Japan Post (EMS, Airmail, & Seamail)
   1. All packages shipped via Japan Post services (including EMS, Airmail, and Seamail) will be assessed a specific duty starting from $80 per package.
2. DHL & ECMS
   1. All packages shipped via DHL and ECMS will be assessed a duty of 15% of the total declared value.

Please Note: This guidance is based on the latest available information. The final U.S. customs policy is still subject to change, and all charges will be based on the official regulations implemented by the U.S. government at that time (see the Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries – The White House).

3. Important Questions & Answers (FAQ)

Q1: I have packages waiting in the Onemall.jp warehouse. What should I do?

A1: We strongly urge you to pay for your international shipping and dispatch your packages before August 29, 2025. Orders with shipping fees paid before this deadline will not be affected by the new duty policy.

Q2: What if I bought my items before August 29th but only pay for shipping after that date?

A2: Yes, you will be charged the new duty. The new policy is applied based on the payment date of the international shipping fee. If you pay for shipping on or after August 29, your package will be subject to the new tariff rules, regardless of when the items were purchased.

Q3: After August 29, how should I choose a shipping method to pay less in duties?

A3: You can make the most cost-effective choice based on your order’s total value. Since DHL & ECMS charge a 15% duty, while Japan Post (EMS, etc.) charges a flat rate starting from $80, we can calculate a break-even point. The break-even value is: $80 ÷ 15% ≈ $533.

• If your order’s declared value is less than approx. $533, we recommend choosing DHL or ECMS, as the 15% duty will be less than $80.
• If your order’s declared value is greater than approx. $533, choosing Japan Post (EMS, etc.) will be more affordable, as the flat duty starting from $80 will be less than 15% of the total value.

Q4: Is this policy subject to change? Should I wait and see?

A4: All the information we have is based on official announcements from the U.S. government. However, like any major policy, the final implementation details could still be adjusted closer to the effective date. With this in mind, waiting carries the risk of missing the current duty-free window. Therefore, from the perspective of protecting your interests, the safest and most prudent option is to complete your shipments before August 29, during this transitional period of uncertainty.

Conclusion

To navigate this policy change and avoid unnecessary expenses, we once again urge all users shipping to the U.S. to please submit and pay for your international shipping orders before August 29, 2025. Any future changes will be subject to the official documents of the U.S. government, and we will monitor this information in real-time to provide updates. Our team is ready to assist you in getting your packages dispatched as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Happy shopping!

The Onemall.jp Team

Source for this article: Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries – The White House