Trump Ends Tariff Exemptions on All Low-Cost Shipments, Sets Levies on Copper and Brazil Imports

WASHINGTON—The White House announced on July 30 a new round of tariff updates, with President Donald Trump signing executive orders to end all tariff exemptions on low-cost shipments, impose 50 percent tariffs on copper, and raise levies on imports from Brazil.

Expanding an order signed in May that targeted low-value imports direct from China and Hong Kong, Trump signed an order suspending the duty-free treatment of all low-value commercial shipments into the United States, effectively ending the global application of the longstanding de minimis trade exemption.

The de minimis provision—formalized under Section 321 of the Tariff Act of 1930—was originally designed to ease administrative burdens on low-value imports. Congress raised the threshold to $800 from $200 in 2016, a change that coincided with the rise of direct-to-consumer international e-commerce.

The tariffs come into effect on Aug. 29.

Separately, Trump signed an order imposing 50 percent tariffs on semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivatives, effective on Aug. 1.

The move exempted refined metals from the new tariffs. U.S. copper prices fell sharply after it became clear Trump had exempted refined materials in the order.

In another move, Trump also signed an order implementing an additional 40 percent tariff on imports from Brazil, bringing the total tariff amount on the country to 50 percent.

The move seeks to “address the Government of Brazil’s unusual and extraordinary policies and actions harming U.S. companies, the free speech rights of U.S. persons, U.S. foreign policy, and the U.S. economy,” according to a White House fact sheet.

The order also seeks to hold the Brazilian government accountable for serious human rights abuses, including the political persecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro and his supporters, which have undermined the rule of law in Brazil, it said.

‘Catastrophic Loophole’

In a statement about de minimis shipments, the White House said the reimposition of tariffs closed a “catastrophic loophole used to, among other things, evade tariffs and funnel deadly synthetic opioids as well as other unsafe or below-market products that harm American workers and businesses into the United States.”

“The volume of de minimis shipments, even from countries that historically have not been the primary source of de minimis abuse, has skyrocketed this year, with 309 million so … through June 30, compared to 115 million for all of FY24,” it added.

The Epoch Times previously reported that retailers such as Temu and Shein, which ship goods directly from China to American customers, have benefited greatly because of the de minimis exemption. International trade analysts previously told The Epoch Times that the policy has allowed those companies to avoid not only U.S. tariffs but also regulations related to labor, environmental standards, and product safety.

Conversely, critics have complained that the policy change could lead to delays, increased consumer costs, and a heavy burden on American customs authorities.

The policy aligns with the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which includes a statutory repeal of the de minimis exemption effective in 2027. Trump’s order accelerates that timeline amid the Trump administration’s mission to insist on a global environment of reciprocal trade.

According to the order, all goods imported into the United States valued at $800 or less will be subject to applicable tariffs and customs duties, regardless of their origin.

For shipments sent through the international postal network, duties will be calculated either as a percentage of value based on country-specific tariff rates or through a fixed-fee model ranging from $80 to $200 per item, depending on origin.

That specific-duty option will only be available for six months, after which all low-value packages must be assessed using the percentage-based approach.

The order does not affect travelers’ personal exemptions or duty-free gift allowances. Individuals returning to the United States from an overseas trip may still bring back up to $200 in goods without paying a duty. Gifts received by mail valued at $100 or less will remain exempt under existing law.

Copper Imports

According to the White House, the new copper tariffs target semi-finished products such as copper pipes, wires, rods, sheets, and tubes, and copper-intensive derivative products such as pipe fittings, cables, connectors, and electrical components.

In February, Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Commerce to address threats to national security and economic stability from copper imports.

He urged domestic companies to ramp up their production of the red metal. Copper prices advanced since then.

Copper is a crucial component for electric vehicles and renewable energy sources. Additionally, it will be a vital source for advancing the president’s economic agenda, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, robotics, and semiconductors.

The United States is one of the world’s top copper miners, producing about 1.1 million tons annually. Chile remains the largest producer, with 5.3 million tons, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2.84 million tons), Peru (2.76 million tons), and China (1.83 million tons).

Despite this, the United States consumes about twice as much copper as it produces, so it depends on imports, mainly from Chile.

‘Politicized’ Brazil

Trump’s tariff increase on Brazil came just hours after the Treasury Department announced that it was sanctioning Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program for serious human rights abuses.

“Alexandre de Moraes has taken it upon himself to be judge and jury in an unlawful witch hunt against U.S. and Brazilian citizens and companies,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. “De Moraes is responsible for an oppressive campaign of censorship, arbitrary detentions that violate human rights, and politicized prosecutions—including against former President Jair Bolsonaro.”

Trump had first announced his decision to impose a 50 percent tariff on July 9 in a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. In the letter, Trump accused Brazil of becoming an “international disgrace” because of the ongoing trial of Bolsonaro, a Trump ally.

Often dubbed the “Trump of the Tropics,” Bolsonaro is on trial for charges stemming from an alleged plot to overturn Brazil’s 2022 election results. Prosecutors accuse him and his associates of plotting a coup, including an alleged plan to assassinate Lula.

On July 10, Lula said his nation may implement retaliatory tariffs if Trump follows through with his plan to impose a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian goods on Aug. 1.

“Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage,” he said, defending his nation’s legal system.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, Lula again pushed back against Trump’s tariff threat.

“I’m not going to cry over spilled milk,” Lula said. “If the United States doesn’t want to buy something of ours, we are going to look for someone who will.”

Lula also touted his close ties with Beijing.

“We have an extraordinary trade relationship with China. If the United States and China want to have a Cold War, we won’t accept it. I have no preference.”

On July 8, Trump also warned the BRICS nations, of which Brazil and China are members, that they could face higher levies, accusing the group of trying to replace the U.S. dollar as the leading currency for international trade.

Austin Alonzo and Andrew Moran contributed to this report.