The Dime💰 - Trade Loopholes

If you have ordered from Shein, Temu, or AliExpress, you have benefited from one of the most exploited trade loopholes in U.S. history. The de minimis exemption, under Section 321 of the Tariff Act of 1930, allowed goods valued under eight hundred dollars to enter the U.S. duty-free. Originally, it was meant to simplify customs processing and reduce paperwork for small shipments. But what started as an efficiency measure has turned into a massive loophole that foreign e-commerce giants use to evade tariffs. Now, President Trump temporarily suspended the exemption, throwing a wrench into the operations of global retailers that have used it to dominate American markets. However, the suspension was short-lived as an overwhelming backlog of packages at customs created logistical chaos. Faced with mounting delays, frustrated consumers, and supply chain disruptions, Trump repealed the suspension, allowing the de minimis exemption to remain in place while policymakers debate a more structured approach.