Shipping from the EU to the US in 2025 – New tariffs and what they mean for small businesses and customers

If you’re a small business based in the EU (like me!) and you sell to customers in the US, you’ve probably seen some talk about the end of the de minimis exemption and changes to US tariffs.

And if you haven’t… now is a good time to grab a coffee ☕ and read on, because these changes might affect how you price, ship and run your business.

In this post, I’ll walk you through:

  • What’s changed in US import rules
  • What this means for me (and maybe for you too)
  • How it could impact US customers
  • Steps I’m taking to prepare


What has changed with US tariffs

Until recently, the US had something called the de minimis rule.
This meant that if you shipped a package worth $800 or less directly to a US customer, it could enter the country without paying import duties.

From August 29, 2025, that rule is gone 🚫
This means:

  • Every package (no matter the value) will go through full customs processing
  • Import duties will apply to all parcels, even low‑value ones
  • There’s no longer a “free pass” for smaller orders

The official reason? The US government says they want to close a loophole and make things fairer for domestic sellers.

What this means for my US customers

Here’s how it works if you place an order with me right now:

Clothing & apparel 🧵
All my apparel for US customers is made and shipped from within the US via my production partner.
This means:

  • No import duties
  • No customs delays
  • No changes to how your order is processed

Stickers & smaller items ✨
I ship these from Greece (EU) via the normal postal service (ELTA/PostNL → USPS). Every envelope is sent with a C23 customs declaration form that lists the correct HS codes and value, so US customs knows exactly what’s inside and how much it’s worth.
Because these shipments cross the US border, they may be affected by the new tariff rules.
The exact impact for small letter‑post is still unclear, so I’ve included a detailed breakdown in the next section (“Extra update: how small letter‑post shipments are affected”) where I explain what we know so far.

 

Extra update: how small letter‑post shipments are affected

A lot of you ask about my stickers specifically – they fit in a small envelope and go by regular post from Greece to the US, where USPS takes over delivery.

Here’s what is currently known:

  • For the first six months after August 29, 2025, USPS will choose one of two options for postal shipments:

    1. Flat‑rate duty between $80–$200 per item (based on origin country)

    2. Percentage tariff (15% of value plus shipping)

  • After this six‑month period, the flat‑rate system is set to end and only the percentage tariff will apply.

Right now, USPS has not confirmed which option they’ll use for EU letter‑post envelopes like mine.
There are hints they may lean towards flat‑rate for most postal parcels, but this is not official.

What this means for my US sticker customers:

  • Your small envelope could be charged a flat fee that’s much higher than the order value (which I agree makes no sense)
  • Or it might just get the percentage tariff, which is much more reasonable

Until there’s a clear statement, I can’t confirm which it will be but I’m actively monitoring updates and will adjust my policies the moment I know.


How tariffs are calculated

For most EU‑to‑US shipments, the new tariff is:

  • 15% on the value of the goods (including shipping) under the new EU–US trade deal

Value = product price plus shipping cost

Example: €20 sticker bundle + €6 shipping = US customs calculates duty on €26, which means a tariff of €3.90.

With postal flat rates, the temporary fee could still be $80–$200 for the first six months after August 29, 2025 (which, honestly, makes no sense for a €20 order – but it’s what’s currently written in the rules).

Tips for other EU small business owners

If you also ship from the EU to the US, these changes will probably affect you too. Here are some things that might help:

1. Be upfront with your customers
Let them know about possible extra costs before they order. This prevents unpleasant surprises and builds trust.

2. Consider fulfilment options
If you have products with a big US customer base, it may be worth using a US‑based production or fulfilment partner to avoid international tariffs altogether.

3. Use the correct HS codes
Always declare the right Harmonized System (HS) code and product value. Wrong codes can lead to higher duties or delays.

4. Compare shipping methods
Private couriers might avoid the postal flat duty system, but will still charge the standard tariff. Compare the final costs to see which is better for your product type.

5. Follow updates closely
The situation is still evolving, especially for small letter‑post shipments. Subscribe to official customs updates or follow trusted trade news sources.

6. Factor duties into your pricing
If you decide to cover some or all of the tariff cost for your customers, make sure to build this into your pricing so it doesn’t hurt your margins.

 

Final note

For my US customers:

  • Clothing → made and shipped in the US, no change
  • Stickers and small items → may have extra costs during the first six months after August 29, 2025, depending on what USPS decides

 

I’ll keep my communication transparent and update my policies as soon as there’s clarity, so you always know what to expect when ordering.

I know this whole situation is frustrating 😔 for both you as a customer and for me as a seller. I’m doing my best to share accurate and up-to-date information, but especially with the percentage tariffs versus the flat rate duties it is still not clear when each will apply. I will keep monitoring it closely and update you the moment there is any solid confirmation.

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