Abominable Tariffs #3: The De Minimis Import Tax Exemption

 

Art Square by Jeanne Arnieri

The De Minimis Tariff Exemption expires soon.

 The De Minimis Exemption!?!?

Hard to understand....

... but it will affect you IF

you sell your artwork or goods across international borders or buy

 artwork or goods from other countries.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ExcellQuilts

Last month you might have decided to buy a small quilted piece from an Etsy artist like Kayleigh Excell of Clevedon, United Kingdom. Here's one of her landscapes listed then for $451. Being under $800 your purchase would have qualified for the "Under $800 Exemption (de minimis) and you would have paid no tariff tax on the piece of art and Kayleigh wouldn't have had to bother with tax forms.

Seems practical.

That exemption benefitting artists, small businesses and the customers who supported them and enjoyed their work ends on August 29th. International trade at this small level will now be more complicated and expensive.

Mandy Patullo lives in Northern England. Her lovely pieces go for about $100.

https://mandypattullo.bigcartel.com/

Recent note from British pattern company to US residents:

"The United States administration is suspending the trade threshold below which US customers would be exempt from customs duties on imported goods. What this is looking to mean is that, in the next 6 months, if you buy a physical sewing pattern or book from us that requires shipping, you may be charged an additional $80. 

Obviously, this is the last thing we want for our lovely customers across the pond! Not to mention the impact it is going to have upon us as a small business…. If you've been thinking about ordering any printed sewing patterns from us, we would highly recommend you place your order in the next few days to avoid this charge."

Michelle in the comments asks: 
"I've received quite a few emails from British designers who have said they will no longer be shipping to the U.S. I'm wondering if there might be a loophole for pdf patterns? I haven't found an answer for that. Can you share if you do?"

I sell my patterns as PDFs on Etsy (US Postal Service too unreliable for actual paper shipping.) I looked up Etsy's policies on the new import taxes and the sentences that apply:

"Tariffs apply to physical items, so digital listings are not subject to additional tariffs. Note that other taxes may apply."

https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/1355662653395

Note: "Other taxes may apply"

Jeanne Arnieri has made a top with 12 of the projected 20 Tariffs & Troubles blocks---No Template Cutting is her rule this week.

Prior Posts on Import Taxes

Free Trade by Jeanne Arnieri

https://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com/2025/08/abominable-tariffs1-free-trade.html

Fort Sumter by Jeanne Arnieri

https://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com/2025/08/abominable-tariffs2-civil-war.html