Duval Times

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a proposed new rule aimed at addressing the de minimis loophole, which allows for duty and tax exemptions on goods valued under $800. This loophole has been increasingly exploited by China to bypass tariffs and continue shipping low-cost and illicit goods into the United States, adversely affecting American businesses.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), who has been vocal on this issue, introduced the Import Security and Fairness Act and has raised his concerns with the administration multiple times. Following the announcement of the new rule, Senator Rubio released a statement criticizing it.

“It’s policy; it’s just bad policy. Hundreds of millions of Chinese packages will continue to flood our country through the de minimis loophole under this proposed Biden-Harris rule. The sky-high volume of packages and lack of an accountability system in the de minimis regime will make this rule almost unenforceable, and leave a large share of de minimis packages from China untouched. The only way to stop Communist China from abusing the de minimis loophole is to pass my bipartisan bill to end de minimis treatment for all goods imported from China,” stated Senator Rubio.

Senator Rubio first highlighted this issue in July 2022 and introduced the Import Security and Fairness Act in June 2023 as a solution.

For further information:

- April 2024: Rubio calls for investigation into Shein and Temu for slave labor.

- February 2024: Rubio states “Investors Deserve to Know the Truth About Shein.”

- June 2023: Rubio, along with Brown, introduces Import Security and Fairness Act.

- June 2023: Rubio warns colleagues about Shein's alleged crimes.

- May 2023: Rubio targets loopholes allowing slave-made goods into the U.S.

- July 2022: Rubio and colleagues voice concerns over provisions in the Senate’s China Bill.