The U.S. government has suspended the long-standing "de minimis" rule which allowed shipments valued under $800 USD to enter the country duty-free with minimal paperwork. As of August 29, 2025, that exemption no longer applies to goods from any country, meaning all foreign purchases are now subject to applicable customs duties and taxes, regardless of their value. 

Impact on Denim Purchases
For consumers who frequently purchase raw or specialty denim from countries like Japan, Canada, the EU, or the U.K., this change means an increase in the final price. 

Added Costs: All orders from outside the U.S. now incur additional tariffs and processing fees that were previously waived for low-value shipments.

Specific Tariffs: The exact duty depends on the product's origin country. For example, Japanese-made denim may be subject to around a 15% tariff, plus courier processing fees.
Shipping: Couriers like FedEx, DHL, and UPS have been required to implement this change immediately, leading to potential price increases for U.S. customers receiving international parcels. 

This regulatory change aims to level the playing field for domestic manufacturers and generate additional government revenue but has resulted in higher costs for both consumers and small to medium-sized businesses that rely on international supply chains.