A major victory today in the U.S. International Trade Court against one of the most outrageous gaps in U.S. trade policy — the so-called “de minimis” exemption.

For years, foreign shippers could bring packages valued at up to $800 into our country without paying customs duties, without tariffs, and with far less oversight. The exemption became a major loophole for tariff cheats — and a route for fentanyl smugglers, counterfeiters, and other criminals who were bringing dangerous, illegal products into the United States. The numbers were staggering. Just in 2024, it is estimated that the de minimis exemption caused the loss of $10.8 billion in U.S. tariff revenue, and accounted for a surprising share of drug seizures and fake goods coming through the de minimis route. So we shut it down. With my powerful signature — no upen!!! — I ended this ridiculous giveaway and required foreign goods to follow the same rules that apply to everyone else. Importers sued us. Today, they lost. The court ruled that the president has the legal authority to rescind this so-called “privilege.”

Now America is safer, our workers are better protected, and billions of dollars in tariff revenue that previously went through this loophole can be used instead to fund the costs of our great military, cut taxes, withhold no taxes on tips, and withhold no taxes on Social Security. America First Trade — and America First enforcement of the law!

President Donald J. Trump