USA Shipping and Tariffs

What has changed?

As of August 29th 2025, the U.S. is ending its long-standing de minimis exemption of $800, meaning all international orders — regardless of value — will now face tariffs. This is part of an executive order issued by President Trump on the 30th July 2025, which eliminates the long-standing tax exemption on packages valued under $800 that previously allowed international small businesses like Little Toy Dogs to send products to the U.S. tariff-free.

All international parcels from the UK to the U.S. will be taxed, no matter the value, no matter the postal service used.

If shipped via Government-run or National Postal Networks (e.g. Royal Mail, Evri, DPD, USPS End point), a flat-rate import charge of $80–$200 per parcel will apply for the first 6 months. After that, these shipments will be taxed based on their declared value (ad valorem) — typically 5 to 15% +, although toys in category 9503 have, historically, been exempt.

If shipped via UPS, FedEx or DHL (Delivery Duty Paid Third Party or Private Courier services), duties will be calculated as percentage-based tariffs on both the product (using its HS code) and shipping, plus a brokerage fee (usually $12–$14).

Flat Fee vs Value-Based Tariffs — Aug 29 to Feb 2026

From August 29th 2025 to February 2026, all UK-origin packages shipped to the U.S. will be charged import duties — even if the order is under $800. But how the U.S. applies those charges depends on how your parcel is sent:

Two Possible Postage Scenarios:

1. Value-Based Duty (Ad Valorem): Applied when customs paperwork is correct — based on product type and value (e.g. ?% item tariff + ?% standard UK tariff).

2. Flat Fee Penalty: A fixed charge of $80–$200 per item if package lacks full customs documentation or is shipped DAP (Delivered at Place) via national postal services like Royal Mail → USPS.

What this means for you…

If I ship with a DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) courier service like UPS, Fedex or DHL, including my HS commodity code (95030041 - toys representing animals or non-human creatures), and full description of the contents, with value, then the shipment should fall under the actual tariff rate for the HS code. I will have to get a quote for each parcel, and let you know the cost including tariffs as these would have to be paid up front alongside the shipping fee.

You can look up my HS product code on the USA International Trade Commission website HERE. My HS category (95030041) is currently showing as ‘Free’ for import duty, but if the tariff is updated at the end of February 2026 it may change.

For the time being I have, very sadly, removed all USA shipping options using Royal Mail or DPD. I will reinstate it with as much information as I can once the tariff rate becomes clear.

If you are in the USA and you’d like to buy something, please do email me and we’ll discuss options for sending via a DDP method like Fedex, UPS or DHL with full customs paperwork and tariffs paid up front. I will be able to get a quote based on each specific parcel.

Thanks so much for your understanding - Alice