US Tariffs: How Does the End of De Minimis Affect TokyoTreat?

One big change under the Trump administration was updating US tariffs and removing small shipment exemptions on imports. These tariff changes and the end of the de minimis rule have made things tricky and uncertain for both shoppers and businesses. If you’re unsure about how the US trade with Japan stands now, we’ll clear the facts for you!

What is a tariff?

A tariff, in short, is an import tax. There has been considerable misunderstanding about what tariffs are. This is especially true among those who initially supported the idea when it was announced late last year. Some thought a tariff meant the US was demanding a foreign entity pay more for shipping and receiving goods. They believed this was necessary if the foreign entity wanted to keep trading with the US. That is not true. While that extra cost remains, ultimately, consumers are the ones who bear the burden of tariffs.

As many people have seen, felt, and experienced, tariffs make once-affordable and common goods incredibly expensive. Often, these same goods can become unaffordable for some people. A prime example of this can be seen in the PC industry. When companies must pay extra fees and taxes based on materials used in their products, costs increase. These materials come from specific locations. The rising costs then lead to higher prices for consumers.

What is De Minimis?

The De minimis threshold is the value of a shipment that can be imported without paying tariffs or taxes. Discussing global trade details and the goods subject to these taxes can get very complicated. To simplify matters, the de minimis threshold existed. It made it easier for low-value imports to be shipped worldwide. This helped exports and imports flow more smoothly.

The previous US administration took measures to review an influx of de minimis shipments as direct-to-consumer e-commerce platforms grew in popularity. Temu, for example, was at the height of their scrutiny. The Biden administration made adjustments to the de minimis shipments received from China and revised the handling of other shipments.

However, the current administration signed an executive order that ended all de minimis exemptions from China and another order to end all exemptions from every other country in the world, as well. His statement was to address “national emergencies” and to “save American lives and businesses.”

How have the US tariffs affected Japan?

Like many other countries, Japan has been affected by these new trade policies. Previously, shipments under $800 were exempt from taxes and fees, but this is no longer the case. Due to these new trade policies, shipment fees have increased by 500%, putting a strain on domestic sellers, e-commerce platforms, and smaller businesses.

Japan has proposed models that remove the de minimis exemption and require foreign sellers to register for consumption tax. With changes occurring almost daily under the current administration, it’s challenging to predict what will happen next or how long it will last. Japan is currently working hard to adopt these new trade policies. They are also trying to support consumers as much as possible.

How will the US tariffs and de minimis changes continue to affect businesses?

This is a difficult question to answer because, again, the current US administration makes significant changes and decisions swiftly and without warning.

Whether this will impact his decision on enforcing import taxes on every other country in the world remains to be seen. For now, however, customers and consumers worldwide have felt, and will continue to feel, the effects of these fees.  

What are the new shipping policies for TokyoTreat?

We would like to share some important news regarding shipping TokyoTreat boxes to the United States. Due to new U.S. customs rules taking effect in August 2025, a small additional fee of approximately $3 per box is now required to cover import taxes. Don’t worry—this fee helps make sure your snack box gets through customs smoothly so you won’t have any surprise charges or delays. We collect this fee when you pay, but TokyoTreat doesn’t keep it. It’s just to help get your box to you without any hassle.

If you’re on a monthly subscription, you’ll see this $3 fee added to each new order starting late August. If you have a prepaid plan for several months, we’ll charge the fee all at once, based on the number of boxes you have remaining, starting with your October box.

Japan Post temporarily stopped shipping to the US due to these changes, but don’t worry—we use private couriers that continue to deliver your boxes on time. And if your box arrives in the US before August 29, 2025, you won’t have to pay this fee at all!

We’re working hard to send your boxes as quickly as possible and to keep any additional fees as low as possible. We’ll also keep you informed of any updates or changes. That way, you can keep enjoying your favorite Japanese snacks without any stress!