实探｜“取消800美元关税豁免”利剑高悬 跨境电商焦虑中突围

Core Viewpoint - The recent changes in U.S. customs policy regarding the $800 de minimis exemption for Chinese goods have raised significant concerns within the cross-border e-commerce industry, indicating potential long-term impacts on operations and profitability [2][4][7]. Policy Changes and Industry Impact - On February 1, 2023, an executive order was signed to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese goods and eliminate the $800 de minimis exemption, effective February 4, 2023. Although the policy was quickly reinstated, it has created ongoing anxiety among sellers [2][6]. - The de minimis exemption, which has been in place since 1938 and raised to $800 in 2016, allowed for simplified customs processes for low-value packages, significantly benefiting Chinese e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu [3][4]. - The number of de minimis packages entering the U.S. surged from 139 million in 2015 to 1.36 billion in 2023, a 600% increase, highlighting the importance of this policy for cross-border e-commerce [3]. Future Expectations - Industry experts predict that the cancellation of the de minimis exemption is likely to become a permanent change, with sellers advised to prepare for increased costs and longer delivery times [7][10]. - The average tariff rate on low-value packages is expected to rise from 0% to a range of 25%-30%, significantly affecting pricing and competitiveness in the U.S. market [10][11]. Strategic Responses - In response to the changing landscape, cross-border e-commerce platforms may shift from full-service models to semi-managed or overseas warehouse strategies to mitigate rising costs [14][19]. - Suggestions for sellers include localizing operations, diversifying sales channels, enhancing product value, adjusting pricing strategies, building brand recognition, and preparing for market changes [16][17][18][19]. Logistics and Operational Challenges - The logistics sector has faced disruptions due to the abrupt policy changes, with U.S. Postal Service temporarily halting package acceptance from China, leading to significant delays and operational chaos [6][8]. - The potential shift from T86 to T11 or T01 customs processing could further complicate logistics, increasing delivery times from 5-6 days to potentially 8-9 days, which may deter U.S. consumers accustomed to faster shipping [9][10].