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De Minimis Policy

Captured: TikTok page date: Hash: 1ced94e1f3c5

Creator TL;DR

AI-generated from the captured TikTok policy text. Verify against the TikTok source before acting.

TikTok says the De Minimis duty exemption ends on May 2, 2025, so more imports may face duties, tariffs, and extra entry checks. Sellers of regulated products must prepare the right agency documents before listing or shipping to avoid rejections, delays, or customs problems.

Key points

  • De Minimis duty-free entry ends May 2, 2025.
  • Shipments may need tariffs and additional import requirements.
  • Products regulated by agencies like FDA, USDA, CPSC, EPA, FCC, and DOT need proper documentation.
  • TikTok may collect mandatory product documentation and information from sellers.
  • Sellers should review the product’s regulatory agency and prepare required PGA paperwork before listing.
  • Sellers should coordinate with a customs broker or freight forwarder.
  • Non-compliance may lead to listing rejections, shipment delays, or customs issues.

Say / show

  • Check whether your product is regulated by a PGA agency.
  • Prepare required documentation before submitting listing requests.
  • Keep proof of registration, certificates, and test reports ready where applicable.
  • Work with a broker or freight forwarder on entry requirements.
  • Verify current requirements on the TikTok source page before acting.

Do not say / show

  • Duty-free entry will continue after May 2, 2025.
  • All products need the same documents.
  • GCC is always required for every product.
  • TikTok provides legal advice on US import law.
  • Documentation requirements are optional.

Violation risks

  • Listing rejections
  • Shipment delays
  • Customs issues
  • Potential enforcement under Seller Enforcement Policy and Seller Terms of Service

Who it affects

  • Sellers importing products into the United States
  • Sellers of FDA-regulated products
  • Sellers of USDA-regulated products
  • Sellers of CPSC-regulated products
  • Sellers of EPA-regulated products
  • Sellers of FCC-regulated products
  • Sellers of DOT-regulated products
  • Sellers of products such as food, cosmetics, medical devices, toys, electronics, apparel, furniture, tools, and household goods

Source notes

  • This summary is based only on the provided TikTok source text; verify against the TikTok page before taking action.
  • TikTok says the policy is not legal advice and users should seek independent legal advice for US law questions.
  • TikTok says the policy may change without prior notice and should be checked regularly.

Confidence: high · Model: gpt-5.4-mini · Prompt: creator-policy-summary-v1

Readable Policy Copy

Captured policy content rendered without TikTok navigation, scripts, tracking markup, or page chrome. Source: article-html.

Key Points:
  • The De Minimis duty exemption will end on May 2, 2025, which means more shipments may be subject to tariffs and additional import requirements.
  • Sellers must prepare proper documentation for products regulated by agencies like the FDA, USDA, CPSC, EPA, and more.
  • Failure to comply may lead to listing rejections, shipment delays, or customs issues.

Purpose and Scope

This De Minimis Policy (the "Policy") outlines the requirements sellers must follow when importing products into the United States to meet new import regulations. This policy supplements TikTok's Community Guidelines and TikTok Shop's Seller Terms of Service (collectively, "TikTok Terms").
This policy is not intended as legal advice. For any questions regarding US laws and regulations, we encourage all users to seek independent legal advice.
This policy is updated periodically. Sellers must check this page regularly to ensure compliance with our current policy.
TikTok Shop reserves the right to make changes to any policy at any time without prior notice. Please review our TikTok Shop Policy Center updates section on TikTok Shop Academy for the most up-to-date policy.

De Minimis

Starting May 2, 2025, the revocation of the De Minimis entry exemption for tariffs will take effect. This means shipments that were previously eligible for duty-free entry may now be subject to import duties and additional import requirements.
For instance, all imported goods must adhere to applicable Partner Government Agency (PGA) regulations and include the necessary information and documentation to ensure smooth clearance through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
In response to this policy change, we will implement new qualification requirements and collect mandatory product documentation and information from sellers.
All other sellers should review and adhere to this policy, as you will need to ensure compliance with CBP requirements. This policy outlines compliance requirements and documentation obligations that we will implement no later than April 25, 2025.

Definitions

  • De Minimis Exemption: Also known as Section 321, this exemption allows CBP to admit shipments free of duty and taxes if their aggregate, fair retail value in the country of shipment does not exceed $800. This exemption will be removed on May 2, 2025.
  • Partner Government Agency (PGA): PGAs are US government agencies that work alongside CBP to regulate commodities entering the US. These include, but are not limited to, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

What This Means for Sellers

  • Mandatory PGA Compliance: Products subject to oversight by agencies such as the FDA, USDA, CPSC, EPA, and others will require proper information and documentation before entry.
  • CBP Inspections: There may be clearance delays if required documentation or information is not provided.
  • Potential Tariffs: Shipments may now be subject to applicable tariffs.

What Products May Be Impacted

Products that may be impacted include, but are not limited to:
  • Food and Beverage Products
  • Pet Food and Supplies
  • Consumer Household Products (including Kitchenware, Household Appliances)
  • Health Products, Cosmetics, and Medical Devices
  • Textiles, Apparel, and Footwear
  • Electronics and Telecommunication Products
  • Automotive and Motorcycle Products
  • Children's Products (including Toys)
  • Furniture and Outdoor Products
  • Tools and Hardware

Sample Information and Documentation Required by PGAs

Documentation and information may include, but are not limited to:
  • FDA-regulated products
    • Proof of FDA registration and registration number
    • Proof of Cosmetic Product FDA registration
    • Premarket Notification (510(k) for medical devices)
    • Manufacturer Name and Address, FDA product code, FDA device listing number for medical devices
    • Manufacturer Name and Address, FDA product code for non-medical device products
  • USDA-regulated products
    • Genus and species name, and country of harvest for plant-based products
    • National Organic Program (NOP) certification for organic-certified products
  • CPSC-regulated products
    • General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) for certain consumer products
      • Note: This certificate is required for many product types. For more information, refer to the Understanding the General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) section below.
    • Children's Product Certificate (CPC) and Children's product test report for children's products
  • EPA-regulated products
    • Proof of EPA registration for disinfectants, cleaning products, and pest control products
    • Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) certificate for chemical substances, mixtures, or articles that contain a chemical substance or mixture
  • FCC-regulated products
    • FCC certificate and Supplier Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) for products that emit radio frequency (RF) energy
  • DOT-regulated products
    • DOT certificate for motor vehicle components, helmets, tires, and lighting systems
    • Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) certification for motor vehicles and components

Recommendations for Sellers

To avoid listing rejections or shipment delays, we strongly recommend that you:
  • Review your product's regulatory requirements. Identify which agency oversees your product category and what documentation is needed.
  • Prepare necessary PGA documentation. Ensure that all required permits, certificates, and compliance filings are in place before submitting product listing requests.
  • Work with a broker. Coordinate with your customs broker or freight forwarder to ensure all entry requirements are met.

Non-Compliance

Sellers must comply with the requirements outlined in this policy. Failure to do so may result in enforcement actions, such as listing rejections, shipment delays, or customs issues, in accordance with the Seller Enforcement Policy and Seller Terms of Service.

Additional Resources

For sellers needing assistance with new import compliance requirements, we recommend working with a trusted third-party compliance service provider. These providers specialize in CBP regulations, PGA documentation, and product certifications to ensure your products meet all US import requirements.
Partnering with a compliance service provider can streamline the process, reduce delays, and help you meet requirements for entering goods in accordance with import regulations.
We understand that this change may impact your product listings and operations, and we are here to assist you through this transition. If you have any questions, please reach out using our Contact Us page.

Understanding the General Certificate of Conformity (GCC)

The following information is from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and is intended to help you understand the requirements for a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC). A GCC is now commonly required under this De Minimis Policy for many product types. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations. If you are unsure, we recommend consulting a legal or compliance expert.

Which products require a GCC?

Products that are subject to a consumer product safety rule, or a similar rule, ban, standard, or regulation under any statute enforced by the CPSC, require testing and certification. A list of rules requiring testing and a GCC can be found in CPSC's Rules Requiring a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC). Manufacturers and importers of general-use consumer products that fall under one or more of these requirements must issue a GCC. If a general-use consumer product is not subject to any listed requirement, then a GCC is likely not required.

Who is responsible for issuing the GCC?

According to 16 CFR § 1110.7, unless otherwise specified by a particular standard or regulation, the responsibility for drafting and issuing the General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) lies with the domestic manufacturer or, for products manufactured overseas, the importer. The GCC must be based on passing test results for each product or come from a reasonable testing program.
Unlike children’s products, general-use products do not require third-party testing at a CPSC-accepted laboratory. Instead, passing results from first-party testing or third-party testing conducted by a non-CPSC-accepted laboratory are acceptable to support a GCC.
If the importer issues the certificate, they are not required to be physically located in the US and they do not need a US address to comply with elements 3 and/or 4 of the GCC (in section below).
Ultimately, the domestic manufacturer or importer of a general-use product that is subject to product safety rules or other standards is always legally responsible for issuing the GCC—even if a third-party laboratory or another third party drafts or assists in drafting the certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What must be included in a GCC?A compliant GCC must include the following 7 elements:
  1. Identification of the product covered by this certificate
    • Provide a detailed description that clearly identifies the product or products covered and distinguishes them from any other products.
  2. Citation to each CPSC product safety rule to which this product is being certified.
    • List each applicable product safety rule. If an exemption applies that eliminates the need for testing to a specific rule, cite the exemption accordingly.
  3. Identification of the domestic manufacturer or importer certifying the product's compliance
    • Provide the name, full mailing address, and telephone number of the certifying firm.
  4. Contact information for the individual maintaining test result records
    • Provide the name, full mailing address, email address, and telephone number of the person responsible for maintaining the test records in support of the certification. This person does not need to work for the firm listed in element 3, but that firm in element 3 is responsible for ensuring test reports can be provided upon request.
  5. Date and place of manufacture
    • Specify at least the month and year of manufacture, or the starting month and year for a continuous batch. For the place of manufacture, provide the city or administrative region, state (if applicable), and country where the product was manufactured (final assembly). If the same manufacturer operates more than one location in the same city, provide the street address of the factory.
  6. Date(s) and place(s) of testing
    • Provide the date(s) of the test(s) or test report(s), along with the location(s) where testing occurred.
  7. Identification of any third-party laboratory that conducted the testing
    • Provide the name, full mailing address, and telephone number of the laboratory. This section may state “N/A” if third-party testing was not used, as it is not required for general-use products. However, if the GCC is based on third-party test results, this information must be included.
How much does a GCC cost?Creating a GCC does not have a cost. The domestic manufacturer or importer may draft the GCC using a word processing or similar software. The CPSC's GCC Guide provides detailed instructions for drafting a GCC, including examples of Children’s Product Certificates (CPCs). A list of citations that require testing and certification, which must be included in element 2 of the GCC when applicable, can be found in the CPSC's Rules Requiring Third-Party Testing and a Children's Product Certificate.
Some laboratories and consultants may offer to draft or assist with drafting a GCC for a fee, but their assistance is optional. The CPSC’s Small Business Ombudsman is available to provide support at no charge.
CPSC does not currently require certificates to be filed with the agency, so there is no fee to file. However, certificates must be provided to CPSC upon request. Typically, firms email certificates to CPSC in PDF format.
CPSC is also working on an eFiling initiative that may allow importers of regulated consumer products to electronically file certificates of compliance.
Are there GCC examples I can use?Yes, the CPSC has provided the following examples on their website:

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