Amendment to Reciprocal Tariffs and Updated Duties as Applied to Low-Value Imports From the People's Republic of China

The order amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) to raise the additional tariff on goods from China from 34% to 84%, effective April 9, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. EDT. It invokes a retaliatory-escalation clause in a prior order (EO 14257), citing China's April 4, 2025 announcement of a 34% tariff on all U.S. exports as justification. The order also sharply increases duties on low-value Chinese goods sent through the international postal system: the ad valorem rate for such shipments rises from 30% to 90%; the per-item postal duty rises from $25 to $75 for packages arriving between May 2 and June 1, 2025; and from $50 to $150 for packages arriving on or after June 1, 2025.

The Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Trade Representative are directed to take all steps needed to implement and enforce the order, including by suspending or amending existing regulations and issuing new rules consistent with applicable law. All executive departments and agencies are also directed to take appropriate measures within their own authority to implement the order.

U.S. importers and businesses sourcing goods from China, American retailers and consumers who purchase Chinese-made products, and e-commerce shoppers who order low-value items shipped directly from China through the international mail system. Chinese exporters and U.S. customs brokers are also directly affected.

An 84% tariff on Chinese imports is among the highest rates the U.S. has applied in modern times, sharply raising costs for businesses that source from China and likely pushing up consumer prices across a wide range of goods. The tripling of postal duties will hit shoppers who buy small packages directly from Chinese e-commerce platforms.

The 84% tariff rate is self-executing and applied retroactively to April 9, 2025 — the day before the order was published — meaning goods entered on or after that date are immediately subject to the higher rate. The Commerce Secretary, DHS Secretary, and USTR are authorized to implement the order by amending customs regulations and Federal Register notices, including using IEEPA powers. The de minimis postal duty increases operate on a two-step schedule, giving customs agencies roughly three weeks before the first escalation hits on May 2, 2025, then a further step up on June 1, 2025.