Wyden Questions Commerce Department About Rushed, Bungled Changes to “De Minimis” Importation Rule for Low-Value Packages

Wyden Questions Commerce Department About Rushed, Bungled Changes to "De Minimis" Importation Rule for Low-Value Packages

Failure to Plan for End of De Minimis Importation Has Caused Chaos for Small Businesses, Drastic Drop in Shipments and Uncertainty and Higher Costs to Consumers

Washington, D.C. - Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., questioned Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick about his role advising the White House on the end of de minimis importation procedures for low-value packages, following a disastrous rollout of the new policy in late August.

The new customs policy resulted in shipping chaos, including dozens of foreign postal services halting shipments to the United States, surprise fees and taxes for customers with shipments already en route, and major disruptions for small businesses.

"As Commerce Secretary, you were responsible for advising the President on the timing and implementation of this policy change, the abruptness of which has resulted in mass disruptions in international shipments, confusion and increased costs for American consumers and small businesses, and the total suspension of postal shipments to the United States from dozens of countries, resulting in an 81 percent reduction in postal traffic to the United States on the day it was implemented," Wyden wrote. "I have serious concerns about your judgment and seek additional information regarding your role in the decision to abruptly end de minimiswithout proper systems in place to handle the change."

Wyden has supported reforming de minimis customs procedures with a bipartisan proposal that would have enhanced transparency requirements for de minimis importation and increased funding and resources for customs officials to carry out inspections, while minimizing disruptions to shipments and small businesses. The Trump Administration's approach, on the other hand, was to significantly and suddenly change this policy, leaving importers and shippers scrambling.

Wyden asked Secretary Lutnick to respond to the following questions:

1. Please provide the analysis underlying your conclusion that adequate systems were in place to "fully and expeditiously process and collect duties for articles otherwise eligible for duty-free de minimis treatment on a global basis" as of the July 30, 2025 Executive Order.

2. Please provide a list of the offices and/or bureaus within the Department of Commerce that contributed to your analysis.

3. Did you or your staff consult with Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Postal Service, or any other departments and/or agencies regarding the global suspension of de minimis in advance of your notification? If so, please list them.

4. Did you or your staff consult with the Universal Postal Union regarding the global suspension of de minimis in advance of your notification?

5. Did you or your staff engage with any foreign governments regarding the global suspension of de minimis in advance of your notification? If so, please list them.

Read the full letter here.