Reduced Tariff on Smaller Shipments from China, Including Hong Kong, to US Now Stands at 54% (as Per Trump's Decision)
Revised Article:
Donald Trump's latest move in the U.S.-China trade war involves a significant shake-up in tariffs on parcels hailing from mainland China and Hong Kong. Let's break it down.
Starting from Wednesday, the hefty 120% duty levied on small packages priced under $800 will take a nose dive to a more manageable 54%. This reduction came hot on the heels of an amendment to reciprocal tariffs, as published by the White House on Tuesday, Hong Kong time[1].
Interestingly, the postal fee per item remains locked at $100 for shipments after May 2, squashing rumors about an increase to $200 effective June 1[1].
In early April, the tariff doomsday was set for May 2, with the suspension of the de minimis trade exemption for mainland China and Hong Kong[1]. This nearly century-old rule had been providing a reprieve from import duties for packages valued at $800 or less. Notably, Washington had accused Chinese online retailers such as Temu and Shein of exploiting this rule to send duty-free goods to the U.S[1].
Analysts had predicted a dismal future for Hong Kong's e-commerce industry due to the removal of this de minimis exemption[1]. As the mainland serves as Hong Kong's leading production hub, such a change could put a major damper on its online trade.
However, with the recent reduction in tariffs, the situation may not be as grim as initially anticipated. While smaller parcel shipping from China might become cheaper, the application of duties to items that previously were de minimis-exempt could still jack up costs for certain senders[1].
It's worth noting that these tariff changes mainly target Chinese-origin goods, so the effect on Hong Kong might be less direct unless the goods involved originate from China and just pass through Hong Kong[1]. On the flip side, the overall trade environment and increased screening of goods from both regions might influence shipping costs and efficiency[1].
In short, while the new tariff rates provide some relief by maintaining the $100 per-item duty, they also introduce fresh challenges for small parcel shipments originating from mainland China[1]. So, brace yourself, folks—the world of trade just got a bit more interesting!
- The recent reduction in tariffs on small packages from mainland China and Hong Kong, announced by Donald Trump, could impact the general news of Hong Kong's e-commerce industry, particularly for those retailers exploiting policy-and-legislation loopholes.
- Moving forward, the revised tariff policy-and-legislation on Chinese-origin goods, though easing the financial burden on smaller parcel shipping from China, still poses challenges for some senders due to the new application of duties on items that were once de minimis-exempt, affecting not only Chinese businesses but also politics in the realm of trade.
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