[Very Important] Follow-up Notice for Customers in the United States

* This notice was issued on April 5, 2025 (JST) and is primarily addressed to customers residing in the United States.

* Updated on April 28, 2025
As of today, April 28, 2025, DHL has resumed accepting shipments exceeding $800 addressed to private individuals residing in the United States. Additionally, through negotiations with the U.S. government, shipments exceeding $800 and up to $2,500 can continue to undergo Informal Entry (simplified customs clearance) as before, allowing for easier customs procedures.

* Updated on April 18, 2025
We have received an informal phone notification from a DHL representative stating that, effective Monday, April 21, 2025 (Japan time), DHL will temporarily stop accepting U.S.–bound shipments addressed to private individuals if the declared value of a single shipment exceeds USD 800 (approximately JPY 113,900 as of today), regardless of the products’ country of origin. The reason given is that shipments valued above USD 800 are currently accumulating at U.S. customs offices nationwide and are increasingly being returned without clearance. Similar measures may be introduced by other carriers as well.

Accordingly, we kindly ask customers to ensure not only that their orders do not contain products made in China or Hong Kong, but also that the value of any single shipment does not exceed USD 800. If necessary, please split your order into multiple shipments so that each individual shipment stays within the USD 800 limit.

* Updated on April 16, 2025
According to the latest information, shipments to the United States that do not contain products manufactured in China or Hong Kong will remain eligible for de minimis treatment, meaning goods valued at USD 800 or less can enter duty‑free for the time being.

However, if a shipment does include products made in China or Hong Kong and contains textile or apparel items valued at USD 250 or more, those items will be subject to U.S. import duties. For shipments released by U.S. Customs no later than 12:00 a.m. (EDT) on May 2, 2025, de minimis treatment will still apply as long as any Chinese or Hong Kong products in the consignment are not textiles or apparel.

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. (EDT) on May 2, 2025, any shipment that contains products made in China or Hong Kong will no longer qualify for de minimis benefits, regardless of value.

Additionally, FedEx has revised its operational policy. Effective April 25, 2025 (Japan time), any U.S.‑bound shipment sent via FedEx that includes Chinese or Hong Kong products must be accompanied by your FedEx account number. To avoid confusion, FedEx will therefore be temporarily removed from our list of shipping options for such shipments dispatched on or after that date. If you still wish to use FedEx, please contact us through the contact form and provide your FedEx account number; once the number is verified, we will proceed with shipment.

For customers in the United States, we strongly recommend that—unless unavoidable—you carefully review product images and descriptions to confirm that an item is not made in China or Hong Kong before placing your order.

Thank you for always choosing 8mart.

Following our previous notice, U.S. President Trump issued two new executive orders on April 2, 2025 (U.S. time), outlining updates to U.S. tariff policies. Below is a summary of the key points that may be relevant to customers using 8mart.
(Please note that the situation remains fluid and some details may be subject to change.)

- Regulating Imports with a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices that Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits
- Further Amendment to Duties Addressing the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China as Applied to Low-Value Imports

1. Stricter Clearance Requirements for Shipments Over USD 800
Starting at 12:01 a.m. EDT on April 5, 2025, all shipments valued over USD 800 are expected to require formal entry procedures.
(Previously, shipments over USD 800 but under USD 2,500 were typically cleared through simplified “informal entry.”)

As a result, 8mart customers requesting shipment of packages valued over USD 800 will need to provide their Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) prior to shipment.

Under the new policy, tariff rates will vary depending on the product category and country of origin, and in many cases, higher rates are expected.

2. End of De Minimis Rule for Goods Made in China or Hong Kong
Starting at 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 2, 2025, products manufactured in China or Hong Kong will no longer be eligible for the de minimis rule, and customs duties will apply regardless of the declared value.
(Currently, goods manufactured in China or Hong Kong and valued under USD 800 are generally considered eligible for the de minimis rule. However, textile and apparel products are already subject to duties if the declared value exceeds USD 250.)

The type of duty imposed will depend on the method of importation:
- For shipments imported via the international postal network, either an ad valorem tax of 30% of the declared value or a weight-based postal tax of USD 25 per shipment will apply. This postal tax will increase to USD 50 per shipment starting at 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 1, 2025.
- For shipments imported by means other than the international postal network, standard customs duties will apply based on the product category and country of origin.

3. De Minimis Rule Remains (For Now) for Other Countries
For the time being, the de minimis exemption for shipments valued under USD 800 is expected to continue for products manufactured in countries other than China or Hong Kong.

The situation remains fluid, and further changes may be announced in the future.

2025-04-05