Core Points - The U.S. has officially ended its tax exemption policy for small packages valued under $800, impacting e-commerce companies and consumers by increasing costs and disrupting supply chains [1][2][4] - The new policy applies to all countries, with fixed tax rates based on the country of origin, ranging from $80 to $200 [2][4] - The number of small packages entering the U.S. has surged from approximately 140 million a decade ago to over 1 billion last year, with significant growth in Chinese exports [4][7] Group 1: Impact on E-commerce and Supply Chains - The end of the exemption is expected to raise prices for many goods sold by e-commerce companies, affecting consumer purchasing behavior [8][11] - Many Chinese merchants have preemptively established warehouses in the U.S. to mitigate the impact of the new tax policy [1][10] - The transition to a new tax system may cause initial disruptions, but companies are adapting by changing their shipping strategies and adjusting prices [10][11] Group 2: Market Reactions and Adaptations - Some U.S. retailers and analysts believe that the end of the exemption could lead to increased prices for consumers, while others argue that the overall appeal of products will remain strong [8][11] - Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu are expected to quickly adapt to the new trade environment due to their resilient supply chains [1][11] - Smaller businesses are facing challenges due to increased costs, with some reporting price hikes of 40% to 60% since May [10]