The Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade is concerned about the US government’s decision to end the de minimis exemption for low-value shipments as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on August 29, 2025.
This change will directly affect many of our members – especially small and medium-sized businesses that rely on affordable cross-border e-commerce. Without this exemption, shipments under US$800 will now face duties, taxes, and additional customs paperwork.
For Surrey and White Rock businesses, this means:
- Higher costs to reach US customers.
- Slower delivery times due to customs processing.
- Less competitive pricing, while US sellers into Canada still benefit from our thresholds of CA$40 for taxes and CA$150 for duties.
This imbalance not only hurts local businesses but also undermines the spirit of CUSMA, which was meant to simplify trade and encourage e-commerce across borders.
What Businesses Can Do
While we continue to advocate with government for fairer treatment, businesses can:
- Adjust pricing to reflect new duties.
- Consolidate shipments to reduce costs.
- Check if goods qualify for duty-free entry under CUSMA rules of origin.
- Explore government export supports and diversify into new markets.
Our Call to Action
We urge the Government of Canada to:
- Seek immediate clarity from the US on how duties will apply.
- Provide guidance and support for Canadian businesses navigating these changes.
- Push for reciprocal, fair treatment under CUSMA so Canadian exporters are not disadvantaged.
As border communities, Surrey and White Rock will feel the effects of this change first. Ensuring predictable, balanced trade rules is essential to keeping our businesses competitive, protecting local jobs, and sustaining our regional economy.
SWRBOT stands ready to work with our members and all levels of government to navigate these changes, provide timely support, and mitigate economic fallout. Our business community’s resilience depends on timely intervention, adaptability, and clear policy certainty during this unprecedented trade shift.
We invite businesses to join us at our Understanding CUSMA Compliance event on September 11 to better understand and apply CUSMA trade rules, including tariffs, tax remission programs, and origin documentation. Registration is available at businessinsurrey.com.
