The U.S. is ending the “de minimis” exemption, which allowed duty-free shipments under $800, leading to widespread cancellation notices for small goods ordered from abroad. Many countries, including several European nations, have suspended U.S.-bound shipments in response. E-commerce platforms like Etsy and eBay have warned of shipping disruptions, and some carriers are contracting with third-party duty processors to maintain deliveries. The change aims to collect billions in revenue, boost U.S. businesses, and restrict illegal goods, but it presents challenges for small businesses and consumers who rely on affordable international shipping.
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Due to the impending expiration of the “de minimis” exemption, which previously allowed duty-free entry for packages under $800, several European postal services are suspending shipments to the United States. This action comes amidst confusion regarding new import duties and a lack of clarity on how they will be collected. Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Italy have already halted shipments, with others like France and Austria following, expressing concerns about data requirements and the short timeframe to adapt to the changes. Postal services are seeking clarification from U.S. authorities, as the Trump administration moves forward with the duties, despite an insufficient system to collect them.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger’s undeclared watch recently fetched a staggering $294,000 at a climate auction. The watch, which had the potential to incur taxes, led to an unfortunate incident with customs officers. According to a source close to the actor, the officers failed to get a credit card machine to work and eventually had Schwarzenegger withdraw cash from an ATM to pay. While this may seem like a comical situation, it raises some interesting questions and observations.
Firstly, one cannot help but wonder if the value of the watch was driven up by the publicity surrounding this incident. It’s not uncommon for news stories like this to pique the interest of collectors and enthusiasts, leading to increased demand and ultimately a higher price.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker