U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order dramatically increasing duties on low-value imports from China, a move expected to disrupt the flow of popular, low-cost consumer goods into the U.S. market.
Under the new order, released Tuesday, the duty on small packages from China will rise from 30% to 90%, effective May 2. The decision is part of a broader escalation in tariffs, which will also see duties on a wide range of Chinese goods increase from 34% to 84%.
Last week, Trump also eliminated the duty-free exemption on packages valued at $800 or less, a rule that had enabled millions of shipments from Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu to enter the U.S. without tariffs. The exemption had come under growing scrutiny from U.S. officials, who linked it to a sharp rise in duty-free imports from China.
Initially, the White House proposed setting duties on these items at 30% of their value or $25 per item, increasing to $50 per item from June 1. However, the new order raises those figures even further — imposing a 90% tariff or $75 per item starting May 2, and $150 per item from June 1.
Trump had briefly rescinded a similar customs change in February after it triggered significant supply chain disruptions but has now moved ahead with a more aggressive policy.
China has condemned the U.S. measures, accusing Washington of “politicizing trade and economic issues” and using tariffs as a weapon in ongoing tensions between the two countries.