US To Tighten Trade Rules To Hit Low-cost China Shipments

US officials have pointed to the growth of Chinese-founded online retailers Shein and Temu as a key factor behind an increase in low-value shipments (Credit: AFP)

The United States unveiled a new rule Friday to tighten an exemption allowing low-value imports to enter the country duty-free, taking aim at Chinese shipments that might be benefiting from it.

The proposal disqualifies certain products from the low-value, or "de minimis," exemption, which allows goods valued at $800 or below to come into the United States without paying duties or certain taxes.