Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates To Reflect Discussions With the People's Republic of China
The order immediately cuts the additional import duty on all goods from China, Hong Kong, and Macau from roughly 145% down to 10%, suspending 24 percentage points of that tariff for 90 days beginning May 14, 2025, in recognition of U.S.-China trade discussions.
It also lowers the duty on low-value Chinese packages shipped directly to consumers from 120% to 54%, and cancels a previously scheduled increase that would have raised the per-postal-item fee from $100 to $200.
What this order does
What it orders
The order suspends the bulk of the additional ad valorem duties previously imposed on Chinese imports, reducing the applicable rate to 10% for an initial 90-day window starting May 14, 2025. It directly amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to delete the prior 125% and 34% duty headings applicable to Chinese goods and replaces them with the lower suspended rate. It also reduces the de minimis ad valorem duty on low-value Chinese postal shipments from 120% to 54%, and locks the per-item postal fee at $100, canceling a planned automatic increase to $200 per item that had been set for June 1, 2025.
The 90-day suspension is framed as a response to ongoing U.S.-China trade talks; the underlying national emergency declared in Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025 remains in effect. If the suspension period expires without further action, the prior higher duty rates could be reinstated. The Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Homeland Security, and U.S. Trade Representative are directed to implement the order through regulatory amendments and Federal Register notices.
Who it affects
U.S. importers of goods from China, Hong Kong, and Macau across all product categories; consumers who buy low-value goods shipped directly from China; retailers and e-commerce businesses reliant on Chinese supply chains; and U.S. exporters whose trading relationships with China are affected by the broader tariff negotiations.
Why it matters
Importers of Chinese goods face a drastically lower duty rate — roughly 10% instead of ~145% — starting May 14, 2025, which immediately reduces costs on a wide range of products. Consumers who buy small packages shipped directly from China see the duty cut nearly in half and avoid a doubled per-item postal fee.
What must happen and when
How the order is supposed to work
The tariff reduction takes effect automatically for goods entered on or after 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 14, 2025, without further agency rulemaking. Commerce, DHS, and USTR are directed to update the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and issue any necessary Federal Register notices. The suspension clock runs 90 days; absent a follow-on order, the prior higher rates from EO 14259 and EO 14266 would resume. The President retains full IEEPA authority to raise, lower, or extend rates as talks progress.
Actions and deadlines
- Apply reduced 10% ad valorem duty rate on all Chinese goods entering U.S. customs territory
- Apply reduced 54% de minimis ad valorem rate on low-value Chinese postal shipments
- Implement all Harmonized Tariff Schedule amendments through Federal Register notices and regulatory updates
- Review and potentially restore or further modify suspended tariff rates after 90-day suspension period