Trump axes duty free rule early, raising costs for NZ’s exporters

US President Donald Trump has brought forward a suspension of duty free de minimis treatment for all countries. (Image: Getty)

John Anthony

Mon, 04 Aug 2025

New Zealand exporters selling directly to United States consumers via e-commerce are facing a major blow as a new Donald Trump executive order scraps tariff-free entry for low-value shipments, a tax expert warns.On Thursday, the US President suspended duty-free de minimis treatment for all countries, meaning that low-value shipments will no longer be allowed to enter without paying customs duties or tariffs.The following day, he also increased NZ’s reciprocal tariff on exports to the US from 10% to 15%.EY indirect tax and global trade par...

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