A massive tariff on millions of Americans’ purchases just went into effect — cue the chaos

 https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/02/economy/de-minimis-packages-tariff

Many Americans might not have felt major effects from President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs – until now.

That’s because a major shipping loophole expired at one minute past midnight on Friday. The de minimis exemption, as it’s known, allowed shipments of goods worth under $800 to come into the US duty free, often more or less skipping time-consuming inspections and paperwork.

The loophole helped reshape the way countless Americans shop, allowing ultra-low-cost Chinese e-commerce sites like Shein, Temu and AliExpress to pour everything from yarn to patio furniture, clothes to photography equipment and more into US homes.