Importing from Yiwu to the US in 2026: duties, small parcels and paperwork

Short answer. Budget for duty on every shipment, including small express parcels: goods from China lost the US$800 duty-free (de minimis) treatment in May 2025. Tariff cuts on about US$60 billion of goods — including Christmas decorations and toys — were announced in September 2026 but, as of late October 2026, not confirmed as in force. Quote landed cost, not just the factory price.

1. Work out landed cost

Landed cost = goods + agent fee + freight + insurance + US duty and tariffs + customs broker and port fees. Duty depends on the HTS code of each item, so the same order can mix very different rates. Ask for the HTS code with each quote; we quote landed cost for US orders with the duty rates current on the day.

2. Small parcels are no longer duty-free

Express and postal parcels from China now pay duty like any other import. For small orders this changes the maths: consolidating several suppliers into one shipped carton is often cheaper than many small parcels.

3. Tariffs are moving — check the date

After the US–China meeting in late September 2026, both sides announced tariff cuts on about US$60 billion of goods each. Lists published in October name products such as Christmas decorations (including glass and wooden ornaments), toys, plastic tableware, small household appliances, flashlights and children’s car seats. Reports at the time said the cuts were planned, not yet implemented. Treat any rate you see as dated.

4. Sea freight paperwork

ISF (10+2) must be filed before the container is loaded in China.
Customs bond — single-entry or continuous — is required for formal entries.
A customs broker files the entry and pays duties on your behalf.

5. Product rules that stop shipments

Children’s products need third-party testing and a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC).
Electrical items sold through big retailers need UL or ETL listing; radio devices need FCC.
Food-contact items must meet FDA rules.
Licensed characters and brands without a licence are seized.

Questions

Are small parcels from China still duty-free in the US?

No. Since May 2025, goods from China no longer enter the US duty-free under the US$800 de minimis rule, so express parcels pay duty too.

Are tariffs on Chinese Christmas decorations and toys going down?

In late September 2026 the US and China announced tariff cuts on about US$60 billion of goods each; the US list includes Christmas decorations and toys. As of late October 2026 the cuts were announced, not confirmed as in force — check the rate when you order.

What paperwork does a US sea shipment need?

An Importer Security Filing (ISF) before the container is loaded, a customs bond and a customs entry, usually handled by your customs broker.

Sources: US CBP on the end of de minimis treatment for China-origin goods (2025); CNBC, 28 Sep 2026; PBS NewsHour, Oct 2026; CBP Importer Security Filing; CPSC Children’s Product Certificate. This is general information, not legal advice.

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