Comment Submitted by Charlotte Lorthioir

Ref: USCBP-2026-0760 Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Merchandise Arriving Through All Modes Other Than the International Postal Network Dear Administrator, My name is Charlotte Lorthioir and I am writing to you as a concerned citizen living in New York City. I urge you discard the proposed rule to indefinitely suspend the de minimis administrative exemption for imports valued at $800 or less. The current cost of living across the country is rising at an unprecedented rate, exacerbated by the high inflation of the last few years. The proposed rule will negatively impact all Americans by contributing to additional costs on so many consumer items from clothing to household necessities. American manufacturing has really declined and the majority of purchases come from abroad because they simply aren’t produced in the U.S. anymore. As a result, many items will become unaffordable to the average, working class American during a time when budgets are already stretched thin. I think the Customs and Border Protection Bureau (CBPB) has failed to think about the financial impacts of this proposed rule, where low-income Americans and small businesses would suffer the most. I also think the CBPB has not fully demonstrated that the benefits of this proposed rule will outweigh the costs. For example, the enforcement of tariffs on these imports will cost more than the income provided by the tariffs. I do agree that there is an issue with consumers ordering goods that do not comply with U.S. health and safety standards. I don’t think suspending the de minimis exemption for consumer goods will solve this problem, instead the CBPB needs to take a firmer approach with American commercial importers, such as Amazon and Shein, to ensure the products they promote are in compliance with U.S. law. Overall, there are limited benefits and substantial costs of the proposed rule and I strongly urge you not to indefinitely suspend the de minimis exemption for imports valued at $800 or less. Thank you, Charlotte Lorthioir