Fact Check: In 2023, President Donald Trump eliminated the 'de minimis' exemption for Chinese goods, which previously exempted imports under $800 from tariffs.

Fact Check: "In 2023, President Donald Trump eliminated the 'de minimis' exemption for Chinese goods, which previously exempted imports under $800 from tariffs."

What We Know

In 2023, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that eliminated the "de minimis" exemption for low-value imports from China and Hong Kong. This exemption previously allowed goods valued at $800 or less to enter the U.S. without incurring tariffs. The new policy, effective May 2, 2025, mandates that these goods will now be subject to a duty rate of either 30% of their value or a flat fee of $25 per item, which will increase to $50 per item after June 1, 2025 (source-1, source-2). The decision was partly motivated by concerns over the influx of synthetic opioids and other illicit goods entering the U.S. through low-value shipments (source-1, source-6).

Analysis

The claim that President Trump eliminated the "de minimis" exemption for Chinese goods is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The White House fact sheet explicitly states that the executive order signed by Trump terminates the duty-free treatment for low-value imports from China and Hong Kong (source-1). Additionally, news articles from reputable outlets like the Associated Press and The New York Times confirm that this change will significantly impact how low-value goods are taxed and processed upon entry into the U.S. (source-2, source-4).

The sources used in this fact-check are reliable, including government publications and established news organizations. The information aligns across various reports, indicating a consensus on the executive order's implications for Chinese imports. Critics of the policy argue that it may lead to increased costs for consumers and small businesses, particularly those relying on low-cost imports from China (source-2, source-7).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that President Donald Trump eliminated the "de minimis" exemption for Chinese goods in 2023 is accurate. The executive order signed by Trump clearly states the termination of this exemption, which previously allowed low-value imports to enter the U.S. tariff-free. The policy change is set to take effect on May 2, 2025, and will impose significant tariffs on these goods, reflecting a shift in trade policy aimed at addressing concerns over illicit imports.

Sources

1. Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Closes De Minimis Exemptions to Combat China’s Role in America’s Synthetic Opioid Crisis
2. No more cheap skirts: Trump ends tax exemption for low-value Chinese imports
3. US slashes 'de minimis' tariff on small China parcels to as
4. Trump Ends Chinese Tariff Loophole, Raising the Cost
5. Trump is ending this tariff loophole for low-cost packages. Here's what
6. Trump closes tariff loophole on cheap online goods from China
7. The end of a key tariff exemption for Chinese goods is spiking prices - Vox