Restore the $800 Rule So Small Purchases From Abroad Stay Duty-Free

Reinstate the $800 Rule That Protected Everyday Purchases from Abroad I urge you to bring back the $800 rule that let Americans order goods from abroad without paying customs fees or facing complicated red tape. For families, this meant that everyday items under $800 — like clothing, books, or supplies — arrived at the price shown at checkout, with no hidden charges or unexpected delays. For consumers, it meant a book, fabric, or household goods from abroad arrived quickly and without extra customs fees. The rule was simple, fair, and efficient, ensuring households could obtain everyday goods at predictable prices. Its elimination has upset that balance. Now Americans face higher costs and delays on purchases once routine. Families face surprise customs fees, and ordinary buyers experience uncertainty and frustration. Carriers report confusion and suspended shipments, compounding the disruption. The $800 rule was not a loophole — it was a commonsense rule. It kept prices fair by removing customs fees on small orders where the cost of collecting the fee was higher than the fee itself. It also freed customs officers to focus on real threats instead of countless low-value packages. Significant Damage from Its Removal Ending the $800 rule has caused: • Billions in Costs: A Yale study estimates $10.9 billion annually in burdens, about $34 per person. • Harm to Families: Lower-income households are disproportionately affected, making the policy regressive. • Consumer Frustration: Buyers now face hidden customs fees, canceled orders, and long delays. • Strain on Customs: Officers must now process many small shipments, overwhelming resources and slowing entry of goods. • Disrupted Deliveries: Carriers have delayed shipments, creating uncertainty for millions of households. • Weak Legal Basis: The executive order relies on emergency powers whose ability to override a statute is under challenge. Act Now to Restore Fairness I urge you to: 1. Support legislation to bring back the $800 rule that exempts small imports from customs fees. 2. Protect consumers from the rising costs and confusion caused by its removal. 3. Ensure oversight so future adjustments are based on evidence and fairness, not sweeping executive action. Reinstating the $800 rule will restore stability and fairness for millions of Americans. It will protect households from unnecessary customs fees, allow families to access affordable goods from abroad, and help customs officers focus on real threats instead of low-value shipments. The harm caused by ending this rule is clear. Congress must act quickly to fix this mistake and restore fairness so families are not burdened with needless costs and delays.