Low-value import exemption

De Minimis Thresholds by Country (2026)

Pick a destination + value → check if it falls under the de minimis threshold. Major 2025-2026 changes covered, with duty vs VAT distinction, official sources and dates.

No de minimis threshold — value not needed
United StatesRemoved
⚠ No de minimis — all imports are taxable regardless of value.
Duty de minimis
Eliminated (was $800 USD)
VAT / sales tax
No exemption — removed with duty
Recent change
Eliminated for ALL countries from 2025-08-29 (EO 14324); China/HK since 2025-05
Seller tip
No de minimis at all — every import needs formal entry and duty regardless of value.

De minimis across 13 countries

CountryDuty de minimisVAT / sales taxStatusRecent change
United StatesEliminated (was $800 USD)No exemption — removed with dutyRemovedEliminated for ALL countries from 2025-08-29 (EO 14324); China/HK since 2025-05· source
VietnamEliminated (was VND 1,000,000 via express)Removed — 10% VAT from the first dongRemovedRemoved from 2025-02-18 (Decision No. 01/2025/QD-TTg)· source
ThailandEliminated (was below THB 1,500)Removed; 7% VAT since 2024-07, duty from THB 1 since 2026-01RemovedDuty assessed from THB 1 since 2026-01-01 (Customs Notice 219/2568)· source
IndonesiaDuty-free below FOB USD 311% VAT has no threshold; below $3 both duty & VAT are waivedConditionalPMK 4/2025 effective 2025-03-05; threshold cut from $75 to $3 back in 2020· source
MalaysiaImport duty exempt below RM 50010% Low-Value Goods sales tax below RM 500, no exemptionConditionalLVG sales tax on ≤RM 500 e-commerce imports since 2024-01-01· source
PhilippinesDuty-free below PHP 10,000 (~$180)12% VAT also waived below PHP 10,000 (duty + VAT both exempt)ActiveCAO 02-2025 effective 2025-05-07; B2C air only, not sea/B2B· source
JapanDuty-free below CIF JPY 10,000 (~$60)10% consumption tax also waived (some leather/knitwear excepted)ActiveStill active; reform legislated to tax low-value imports from ~2028-04· source
KoreaDuty-free below FOB USD 150 ($200 for US origin)10% VAT also waived below the thresholdActiveNo recent major change; US-origin enjoys $200 under KORUS· source· verify
AustraliaImport duty-free below CIF AUD 1,000No GST exemption — 10% GST on all low-value goods, collected by the seller/platformConditionalGST on ≤AUD 1,000 imports since 2018-07-01 (vendor-collected)· source
IndiaNo de minimis (taxed from the first rupee)IGST (usually 18%) also has no thresholdNoneNo general de minimis; personal baggage allowance ₹50,000 (not commercial)· source
BrazilFederal import tax exempt below USD 50 (CIF, via Remessa Conforme)State ICMS (~20%) is always levied — no exemptionConditional$50 federal exemption restored 2026-05-13 (MP 1357/2026)· source· verify
MexicoNo de minimis for non-USMCA (incl. China); USMCA-origin $50 fully exemptNon-USMCA courier imports taxed at 33.5% from MXN 0 (since 2025-08-15)ConditionalNon-USMCA $50 exemption removed 2025-01; rate raised to 33.5% on 2025-08-15· source· verify
ChinaNo de minimis for general imports; CBEC retail 0% duty within limitsCBEC: VAT/excise at 70% of statutory rate within limits; postal tax <CNY 50 waivedConditionalCBEC: ≤CNY 5,000/order, ≤CNY 26,000/year; stable in recent years· source· verify

⚠ De minimis rules changed sharply in 2025-2026 and often separate duty from VAT. Compiled for reference (as of 2026-06, with sources per row); verify with the destination customs authority.

FAQ

Does the US still have de minimis?

No. The US eliminated the $800 de minimis for all countries on 2025-08-29 (EO 14324). Every import now needs formal entry and duty regardless of value.

Which countries removed low-value import exemptions?

As of 2026: the US (2025-08), Vietnam (2025-02) and Thailand (2026-01) have no de minimis. India never had one. Others keep thresholds but often waive only duty, not VAT.

Does de minimis waive duty or VAT?

Distinguish them. Many countries waive only duty while VAT/GST applies from the first dollar (Australia GST, Malaysia 10% LVG tax, Thailand 7% VAT). Philippines, Japan and Korea waive both below the threshold.