US Shipping Update
U.S. Shipping Policy Update
Effective date: 29 August 2025
Ending of the De Minimis Exemption
The de minimis exemption previously allowed goods valued under US$800 to enter the United States without duties and taxes. The U.S. Government is removing this exemption for all commercial shipments from all countries as of 29 August 2025. As a result, all imported goods entering the U.S. may be subject to customs duties and taxes, regardless of order value.
What This Means for Your Order
- No surprise fees at delivery: Starting 26 August 2025, we will collect applicable U.S. duties & taxes during checkout.
- Pre-paid & transparent: The tariff/tax will be calculated at checkout and then paid by Galen Leather to U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) on your behalf.
- No extra courier charges: You will not need to pay FedEx/DHL after delivery.
We cover brokerage: Galen Leather will cover FedEx brokerage and related processing fees. You only pay the official tariff/tax shown at checkout.
Why We’re Collecting at Checkout
- Some countries are currently suspending or limiting postal services for international shipments, making couriers (FedEx, DHL) the most reliable option.
- Paying duties at delivery often includes extra courier fees (brokerage, disbursement/advance fees, handling), which can increase your total cost.
- Pre-collection at checkout keeps costs predictable and helps avoid delivery delays or surprises.
Quick Summary
- From 29 Aug 2025: De minimis ends; all U.S. imports may be taxed.
- How you pay: Duties & taxes are charged at checkout on galenleather.com.
- What we pay: We remit the taxes to CBP and cover FedEx brokerage.
- What you avoid: No additional FedEx/DHL bills or surprise delivery fees.
FAQ
Will I be charged anything on delivery?
No. When you place your order, duties & taxes are collected at checkout. We then remit them to CBP and cover FedEx brokerage, so there are no extra delivery charges from the courier.
Why not let FedEx/DHL collect the fees?
Couriers typically add brokerage and other processing fees when collecting on delivery. Pre-paying at checkout avoids those additional charges and helps prevent delays.
Does this apply to every order value?
Yes. With the de minimis exemption ending, all commercial imports into the U.S. may be subject to duties/taxes regardless of value.
Will this policy change again?
We are monitoring regulations closely. If anything changes, we will update this page and notify customers where appropriate.
Last updated: 27 August 2025
Questions? Contact our team.
— The Galen Leather Team
