Amendment to Duties to Address the Situation at our Southern Border

Executive Orders

TLDR

This executive order imposes a 25% tariff on most Mexican imports, modifies duty-free “de minimis” treatment, and may increase costs for goods from small Mexican sellers. Originally set for February 4, 2025, implementation has been paused until at least March 4, 2025.

This executive order amends previous orders related to imposing duties on goods from Mexico to address illegal migration and the flow of illicit drugs across the southern border.

If you buy something from an individual seller in Mexico—whether it’s handmade goods, small-batch products, or anything else—it’s likely to cost extra because of the new tariffs. Here’s what’s happening:

  1. New tariffs: President Trump’s executive orders impose a 25% tariff on most goods coming from Mexico.

  2. De minimis changes: The order modifies how duty-free “de minimis” treatment applies to certain Mexican imports, allowing for potential expansion of tariff collection to smaller shipments in the future.

  3. Implementation date: These changes were originally set to take effect on February 4, 2025, but have been paused.

  4. Impact on small sellers: If you’re buying something from a small business or individual seller in Mexico, their products may become more expensive for U.S. buyers because of these tariffs.

  5. Additional costs: You might have to pay extra tariff charges when your order arrives, or online platforms and shipping companies may start collecting these fees at checkout.

  6. Exceptions: There’s currently a pause on implementing these tariffs, which will continue until at least March 4, 2025, unless further changes are made.

In short, starting potentially as early as March 4, 2025, you may expect to pay more for items purchased from Mexican sellers—whether it’s through an online marketplace or directly—because of the new tariffs, depending on further developments and implementation of the order.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50U.S.C. 1701_et seq.), the National Emergencies Act (50U.S.C. 1601_et seq.), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, UnitedStates Code, I hereby determine and order:

Section 1.

Amendment.

Executive Order 14194 of February1, 2025 (Imposing Duties to Address the Situation at Our Southern Border), as amended by Executive Order 14198 of February 3, 2025 (Progress on the Situation at Our Southern Border), is further amended by revising section 2(g) to read asfollows:

“(g) Duty-free_de minimis_treatment under 19 U.S.C. 1321 is available for otherwise eligible covered articles described in subsection (a) of this section. Such duty-free_de minimis_treatment shall cease to be available for such otherwise eligible covered articles upon notification by the Secretary of Commerce to the President that adequate systems are in place to fully and expeditiously process and collect tariff revenue applicable pursuant to subsection (a) of this section for covered articles otherwise eligible for_de minimis_treatment.”

Sec. 2.

General Provisions.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office ofManagement and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

© This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

THE WHITE HOUSE,
March 2, 2025.