Key takeaways in this article

• What de minimis means and why it matters in global shipping
  
  
• How thresholds vary by country and impact duties and taxes
  
  
• Real-world examples showing cost savings on B2C shipments
• How TUNL’s system simplifies de minimis and landed cost calculations
  
  
• Special de minimis rules for countries like the USA, Australia, and Colombia

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What is a De Minimis Value?

In global trade, a de minimis value is a threshold under which imported goods are exempt from customs duties and/or taxes. This limit differs from country to country, and it can seriously shape your cross-border strategy.

💡Pro tip: TUNL automatically calculates taxes, duties and fees for you and will confirm if you are working within the de minimis threshold for any country. Whether you're shipping to Sydney or Seattle, we’ve got the numbers covered.

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Why De Minimis Thresholds Matter for South African Businesses

If you're in South Africa exporting abroad, especially in the B2C e-commerce space, de minimis thresholds are your secret weapon. Shipments below the de minimis value clear customs faster, helping you speed up delivery times and improve customer experience.

Think of it as a customs fast pass that can help your business punch above its weight globally.

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A Real-World Example: South Africa → Australia

Let’s say you’re selling from South Africa to customers in Australia. Their de minimis threshold is 1,000 AUD.

• Case 1: You ship a R3,800 item (≈ 200 AUD)
  🎉 No duties or taxes for your Aussie customer, as the parcel’s value is below the de minimis threshold. You just made international shopping feel local.
  
  
• Case 2: You ship a R38,000 item (≈ 2,000 AUD)
  🧾 Now it’s over the threshold. Your customer in Australia may have to pay customs duties and taxes.
  
  

💡 The lesson? Keeping individual orders under the de minimis limit can help avoid surprise costs and delight your overseas customers.

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De Minimis Thresholds Around the World

Here’s a quick look at how thresholds differ by country:

• 🇦🇺 Australia: Duty and tax threshold = 1,000 AUD
  
  
• 🇺🇸 United States*: Duty threshold = 800 USD. Tax threshold varies
  
  
• 🇩🇿 Algeria: Duty and tax threshold = 50,000 DZD
  
  
• 🇪🇺 EU Countries: Duty-free up to 150 EUR, but VAT is always charged
  
  

👉 See the full global list here

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*Spotlight on the USA: The $800 Advantage

Sending goods to the US? If they’re under 800 USD, you’re in luck.

• ✅ No duties or taxes charged at the border
  
  
• ✅ Seamless shipping with TUNL Economy service 

🚨The one exception: If your goods are manufactured in China or Hong Kong, the de minimis rule no longer applies. You’ll be charged duties and taxes regardless of value, as of 2 May 2025. We are monitoring this situation as it unfolds and will update should any further changes happen.

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Countries With Unique De Minimis Rules

Not all thresholds are straightforward. Some countries set exemptions for certain types of imports.

Take Colombia, for example:

• General tax de minimis: 0 USD
  
  
• Personal shipments from the US: 200 USD threshold

These quirks can impact your strategy. That's where TUNL comes in handy.

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Let TUNL Handle the Maths: Landed Cost Calculations

De minimis, duties, and taxes are all calculated live within TUNL’s platform. When you’re booking a shipment, TUNL automatically crunches the numbers for every destination.

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Ready to start shipping globally like a pro?

Visit our website or chat to us at support@tunl.to. 

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