United States sourcing program
Position the United States as a formal-entry market in 2026: buyers sourcing from China should price customs handling, duties, and broker workflows into every order instead of relying on low-value parcel shortcuts.
Best fit for importers, distributors, retail buyers, and brand teams searching for sourcing from China to the United States, landed-cost planning, and customs-ready supplier coordination.
The de minimis reset means U.S. buyers should treat China orders as standard customs work, not duty-free small parcels.
- Importers
- Distributors
- Retail buyers
- Brand owners
Do not rely on informal parcel assumptions. Build classification, importer-of-record, broker handling, and estimated duty deposits into the file before cargo moves.
Policy reset
The White House suspended duty-free de minimis treatment for all countries effective August 29, 2025, so low-value China imports now need standard customs planning.
Landed-cost discipline
U.S. buyers need duty, tax, fee, and entry steps modeled before they commit to a supplier or quote.
Repeat-order readiness
Standardized documents and broker handoffs reduce friction when replenishment volume grows.
- Confirm product classification and country of origin.
- Build a landed-cost quote that includes duties, taxes, fees, and broker handling.
- Decide who will act as importer of record.
- Set up CBP entry and release workflows before shipment.
- Collect invoice, packing list, and product specs early.
- Prepare for post-entry corrections or exams if CBP requests them.
Global de minimis suspension
The White House order applies to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. EDT on August 29, 2025.
The White HousePostal duty method changed again
CBP says the temporary postal specific-duty method was limited to six months, with ad valorem duty applying from February 28, 2026.
CBP factsheetEntry and duty workflow remains formal
CBP links cargo release, entry summary filing, and estimated duty deposits inside the formal entry-summary and post-release process.
CBP entry summary guidanceE-commerce FAQ confirms scope
CBP's e-commerce FAQ states that the suspension covers low-value shipments from all countries and explains duty collection paths for postal flows.
CBP e-commerce FAQ- Pick partners who quote landed cost, not freight only.
- Ask how they handle CBP entry, duties, and post-entry corrections.
- Verify they keep classification and origin data clean from the first RFQ.
- Prefer teams that can support repeat orders without rebuilding the customs file.