Tariff D-Day: Who really pays the price when the U.S. ends de minimis?

I’m still recovering from the shock of shipping prices here in the Netherlands. They are outrageous compared to the UK, which is surprising when you consider it. This country is a major air hub, with planes arriving and departing constantly. You’d expect airmail to be efficient and reasonably priced, yet international postage from the Netherlands is anything but. I guess being a small country, and PostNL controlling the market doesn't exactly help.

Tariff D-Day: Handmade Just Got Pricier

And on top of that, along comes Tariff D-Day. On 29 August 2025, the United States ended its de minimis exemption, the rule that allowed small parcels (under $800) to enter duty-free. The headlines focus on fast-fashion giants like Shein and Temu, but the ripple effect extends much further. It’s not just about cheap clothes and mass imports — it’s about artisans, small businesses, and the buyers who value handmade work.

Who Was Using De Minimis Before?

It’s important to understand who really benefited from de minimis in the first place.

• Low-income U.S. consumers: Research indicates that de minimis shipments were utilised most frequently in low-income zip codes. Platforms like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress provided households with access to clothing and household items at prices they couldn’t find domestically. For them, losing de minimis means higher costs on the basics — T-shirts, trainers, phone cases — purchases that make a tangible difference to day-to-day affordability.

• Etsy and Artisan Buyers: The Etsy crowd is distinct. They’re usually middle-income, often college-educated, and shopping for uniqueness, sustainability, and craftsmanship. These buyers weren’t snapping up £3 tops — they were buying handmade mugs, silver rings, or woven throws. Price still matters, but it’s about perceived value and story as much as cost.

So while low-income U.S. consumers will be hit hardest in terms of household budgets, the artisan space faces its own challenge: sudden sticker shock for customers who aren’t used to customs fees on a £30 order.

How Are Artisans and Makers Affected?

When people think of tariffs, they often envision containers of inexpensive clothing. But for those of us in the creative sector, the impact cuts both ways.

Selling Finished Goods Internationally

I sell one-of-a-kind items, including hand-poured trays, vases, and silver earrings. These aren’t mass-market goods — they’re individual pieces that customers actively seek out.

The problem is that even a small order can suddenly cost double or triple by the time it reaches a U.S. buyer. A £30 mug might arrive with an $80 duty slapped on top — if you’re lucky, it could instead be just 10% ad valorem, but that still makes a noticeable difference to the final price.

Tariff D-Day: Who really pays the price when the U.S. ends de minimis?

For a customer, the difference is huge. One feels like a manageable splurge, the other like a ridiculous expense. For me, it means abandoned carts, frustrated emails, and sometimes unfair reviews when customers assume I’ve set the extra cost myself.

Importing Supplies and Materials

We don’t just export — we import too. Makers rely on global supply chains:

• Jewellers ordering silver chains from Italy, gemstones from India, or tools from the U.S.

• Textile artists buying organic cotton from Turkey or hand-dyed fabric from Japan.

• Ceramicists sourcing glazes or specialist tools that simply aren’t available locally.

If those goods are entering the U.S., artisans there face new tariffs on their materials. If they’re leaving the U.S. for Europe, reciprocal measures may eventually drive up costs for us too.

This creates a double squeeze: harder to sell what we make, and more expensive to make in the first place. Big brands can absorb or shift costs — a home studio can’t.

U.S. Postal and Customs System Strain

It’s not just sellers and buyers who need to adjust. The U.S. postal and customs system now faces the task of processing millions of small parcels that were once waved through.

That means:

• Software upgrades to calculate duties on every single package.

• Training staff in tariff codes and classifications.

• Coordination with international postal services to ensure accurate data flows.

And let’s be honest — that’s not going to happen overnight. Expect delays, inconsistent handling, and customers receiving very different treatment depending on which entry point their package arrives through.

The Unintended Consequences

The new rules were designed to target mass-market imports from Temu, Shein, and AliExpress — and to protect U.S. producers from unfair competition. However, they fail to distinguish between fast-fashion giants and individual artisans.

• U.S. consumers relying on cheap goods now face higher household costs.

• U.S. customers who love Etsy now find that a £30 handmade item costs closer to £90.

• Independent makers face rising expenses in both selling abroad and sourcing supplies.

In short, a policy aimed at billion-dollar businesses has had the greatest impact on those least equipped to absorb the change.

How Sellers and Buyers Can Adapt

There’s no quick fix, but there are ways to soften the blow:

• Sellers:

  • Consider Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping, as fees are included in the checkout.

  • Be transparent in listings — clearly explain potential customs costs.

  • Explore U.S. fulfilment if order volumes justify it.

• Buyers:

  • Understand that sellers don’t control these fees or delays.

  • Please don’t blame makers for higher costs — we’re navigating the same storm.

  • Continue supporting independent businesses — they need you more than ever.

Tariff D-Day: Final Word

As a maker, I know I don’t compete with Temu or Shein. My work operates in a completely different world, but I’ve still been caught up in the same web of tariffs and duties.

Tariff D-Day has shifted the ground beneath our feet. It has made life more expensive for low-income U.S. households, more complicated for artisans and independent businesses, and more frustrating for customers who value handmade work.

Global trade is complex, and these changes underscore the risks associated with one-size-fits-all policies. But if there’s one thing small businesses are good at, it’s resilience. We’ll adapt, we’ll find ways to continue creating, and we’ll remain connected with the people who value what we do, even if the costs are higher than ever.