Sending packages to the United States of America (USA) is an important activity for many businesses and individuals in Greece, whether for commercial or personal reasons. Until recently, an important privilege that facilitated these shipments was the De Minimis regime, which allowed exemption from customs duties and bureaucracy for shipments worth up to 800 dollars. However, as of August 29, 2025, everything is changing.
The new Executive Order signed by the President of the United States comes to abolish this privilege and impose customs duties and procedures on all incoming shipments, with few exceptions (such as private shipments). This has direct consequences for every shipment from Greece to America, for both individuals and businesses.
Let’s take a closer look at what the new customs regime means for sending packages to America, what changes it brings, and how Greek businesses can adapt.
The De Minimis regime is a mechanism that allows shipments to the USA worth up to $800 to be imported without paying duties or VAT, with simplified customs procedures. It has been in effect for several years and has boosted the boom in cross-border e-commerce.
Its existence has facilitated thousands of businesses, allowing them to send low-value goods to the USA without additional costs or delays, making their products more competitive in the American market.
However, due to concerns about unfair competition, loss of revenue for the federal government, and the expansion of the market for cheap Chinese products, this regime is being drastically revised.
On July 30, 2025, the U.S. President signed an Executive Order suspending De Minimis treatment for all shipments regardless of origin, effective August 29, 2025.
As of that date:
No shipment, regardless of value or country of origin, will be allowed to enter the U.S. duty-free (with the exception of bona fide gifts between individuals).
All shipments are subject to customs inspection under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), with potential additional duties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
An informal or formal customs clearance process is now required, even for small packages worth a few dozen dollars.
According to the official information provided by the US authorities so far, private shipments are not affected by the abolition of the De Minimis regime. This means that Greek expatriates in the US can continue to receive packages from relatives and friends in Greece, just as they have been doing until now.
Private shipments include items such as clothing, books, food of all kinds, as well as traditional products such as olive oil. All of these can be shipped without the imposition of duties and without following the strict customs procedures that apply to commercial shipments.
In other words, personal shipments remain unchanged and continue to be carried out in the same way as before, regardless of the contents of the package.
The abolition of De Minimis entails a series of practical changes:
For Greek businesses exporting to the US, the new data brings challenges but also new opportunities.
According to current US policy:
This may initially seem like an obstacle, but it is clearly more favorable compared to exports from China, where tariffs now exceed 30%.
Thus, Greek companies gain a comparative advantage in the American market, as long as they organize their shipments correctly.
Product Price
Tariff Class
Minimum Duty IEEPA
Final Duty
Duty Amount
$40
5%
15%
15%
$6
$50
18%
15%
18%
$9
Product Price
Tariff Class
Minimum Duty IEEPA
Final Duty
Duty Amount
$40
5%
15%
15%
$6
$50
18%
15%
18%
$9
1. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
2.DAP (Delivered at Place)
Choosing the right method depends on your business model, product prices, and customer experience.
The abolition of De Minimis is fundamentally changing the way parcels are shipped to the US. For Greek businesses, this implies a need for adaptation, but also a new export strategy aimed at capitalizing on the opportunities created.
At Spourgiti Transport, we offer solutions for DDP and DAP shipments, full customs clearance and courier options with transparency, security and full compliance.
Contact us to plan your shipments to America based on the new framework.
Are you ready to turn customs challenges into a competitive advantage?
It was a customs regime exempting shipments from duties for shipments worth up to $800. It is being abolished to protect the US market.
As of 8/29/2025, they are subject to a minimum 15% duty, regardless of value.
Only real gifts worth less than $100 are allowed between individuals.
No. Customs duties are now imposed on every shipment (except for exceptions for genuine gifts).
If customer experience is a priority, choose DDP. If cost is a priority, choose DAP.
