Do You Need a Customs Broker for Low-Value Shipments in 2025?

For many years, the $800 de minimis threshold allowed low-value shipments to enter the U.S. duty-free without full customs clearance. That rule no longer applies. Beginning in 2025, every package — regardless of value — must go through customs clearance.

This change impacts small businesses, e-commerce sellers, and individuals who previously never needed to worry about customs paperwork. The key question now is: Do you need a customs broker for low-value shipments? And how do digital customs brokerage platforms make the process easier?

What Changed With the De Minimis Rule?

The de minimis threshold was designed to simplify trade for small shipments. Goods valued under $800 could enter the U.S. without duties and with limited paperwork.

• Before 2025: Low-value shipments often bypassed full customs clearance.
  
  
• After 2025: Every shipment requires entry filing, tariff classification, and payment of duties or taxes.

This shift has created challenges for importers used to fast, low-cost cross-border shipping. Even a $200 package now goes through the same customs process as a $10,000 shipment.

The Role of Customs Brokers in Low-Value Shipments

A customs broker acts as a licensed intermediary between importers and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Their responsibilities include:

• Assigning correct Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes.
  
  
• Filing entry details electronically with CBP.
  
  
• Calculating and paying duties, taxes, and fees.
  
  
• Managing compliance with partner agencies such as FDA, USDA, or FCC.
  
  

For low-value shipments, these tasks are just as important as they are for larger cargo. An error in classification or documentation can result in:

• Delays at the port.
  
  
• Cargo being returned to sender.
  
  
• Unexpected duty bills.
  
  
• Increased CBP scrutiny on future shipments.
  
  

Why Digital Customs Brokerage Matters in 2025

The rise of digital customs brokerage platforms is transforming how importers handle low-value shipments. Instead of paper forms and phone calls, everything can now be managed online.

1. Streamlined Filing

Digital platforms allow importers to upload documents, pay duties, and track clearance in real time.

2. Cost-Effective Solutions

Traditional brokers often use fee structures meant for high-value cargo. Digital platforms scale their pricing, making clearance affordable for low-value packages.

3. Greater Transparency

Importers can see the exact status of shipments and understand duty breakdowns without hidden carrier fees.

4. Error Reduction

Automated systems flag inconsistencies and reduce the risk of costly compliance mistakes.

Who Benefits Most From Digital Brokerage?

• E-commerce sellers importing frequent small parcels for U.S. customers.
  
  
• Retailers balancing high volumes of low-value imports across seasons.
  
  
• Individuals ordering personal goods that now require clearance.
  
  
• Startups and new importers unfamiliar with customs regulations.
  
  

Best Practices for Importers of Low-Value Shipments

1. Double-check classification — correct HTS codes prevent unnecessary duties.
   
   
2. Budget for new costs — even small shipments may now be dutiable.
   
   
3. Use digital tools — online platforms simplify filing and recordkeeping.
   
   
4. Stay responsive — quickly address CBP notices to avoid abandonment.
   
   

Conclusion

With the elimination of the $800 de minimis threshold, low-value shipments now face the same clearance requirements as high-value imports. While it is possible to manage filings independently, the rise of digital customs brokerage platforms offers a faster, more affordable, and more transparent solution.

For importers navigating this new trade environment, digital brokerage is not just convenient — it is becoming an essential tool for staying compliant, avoiding delays, and keeping goods moving in 2025 and beyond.