Freight Pulse & Law Update: De Minimis Suspended, EU Flat Fee Lands, and Blank Sailings Become the New Normal

Three changes are reshaping landed cost and capacity planning: the United States has indefinitely suspended its $800 de minimis exemption, the European Union now charges a flat duty on low-value imports, and ocean carriers are canceling sailings to defend rate stability.

U.S. De Minimis Ends for All Modes

On June 24, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection suspended the $800 de minimis duty exemption for shipments arriving by courier, air, ocean, and other non-postal modes. The accompanying postal rule also removes duty-free treatment for qualifying mail shipments and establishes new informal entry procedures.

Importers must now prepare for applicable duties, taxes, fees, entry filings, accurate valuation, and classification: even for low-value e-commerce orders. Review the CBP interim final rule and confirm whether your broker, marketplace, and fulfillment systems can transmit complete shipment data.

EU Adds €3 Duty and Product Identifiers

Effective July 1, 2026, the EU applies a temporary €3 customs duty to each qualifying item in low-value consignments up to €150. The measure runs through July 1, 2028. From November 1, 2026, product identifiers become mandatory for in-scope e-commerce distance sales, including merchant SKUs and available GTIN, EAN, ISBN, or manufacturer identifiers.

Use the European Commission guidance to update product catalogs, customs data, and landed-cost calculations.

Blank Sailings Protect Rates

Carriers are using blank sailings to remove capacity and protect utilization as fleet growth outpaces demand. Recent forecasts place cancellations near 5% on major East-West trades, with some periods approaching 8%. Expect more schedule changes, rollovers, and rate volatility.

What Shippers Should Do

• Audit HS classifications, product descriptions, values, and identifiers.

• Reprice customer orders using current duties, fees, and VAT assumptions.

• Build buffer inventory before high-risk sailing windows.

• Monitor carrier blanking notices and maintain alternate routings.

Lanta Logistics provides 3PL and fulfillment services from a Glen Burnie warehouse, supporting 3PL Maryland operations, Mid-Atlantic fulfillment, food-grade warehouse requirements, and Hazmat certified 3PL coordination: contact our team to protect your supply chain.