In 2025, the trade and tariff environment between the US and China will experience significant fluctuations, with several key policy milestones having a substantial impact on businesses exporting from China to the US. From the elimination of duty-free policies for small parcels to additional tariffs on bulk goods and the temporary suspension of tariff escalation negotiations between the two countries, these changes will profoundly affect logistics costs, customs clearance processes, and market strategies.
2025 is a crucial year for a phased adjustment in US-China trade relations. Several consensuses reached at the Kuala Lumpur trade talks in October directly led to substantial changes in tariff policies between the two countries. For foreign trade companies, cross-border e-commerce businesses, and logistics practitioners shipping goods from China to the US, accurately grasping the details of tariff changes, understanding the logic behind the policies, and developing targeted response strategies will be key to reducing costs, increasing efficiency, and mitigating risks.
Tariff Actions Between China and the US, February-April 2025
Tariff changes in 2025 can be seen starting with several major measures at the beginning of the year. On February 4th, the US began adjusting the de minimis duty-free threshold for low-value parcels from China and Hong Kong; exporters should take note of this change.
Starting March 4th, the US government announced additional tariffs on Chinese goods, raising the tariff rate on some items from 10% to 20%.
From April 2nd to 5th, the US announced a universal 10% reciprocal tariff applicable nationwide (including Chinese goods), and planned to implement a higher reciprocal tariff rate starting April 9th.
Tariff Adjustments and Suspension Phase between China and the US, May-August 2025
From late spring to summer, the US and China reached a mechanism to suspend tariff escalation through negotiations. On May 12, the US and China announced a 90-day tariff suspension agreement.
On May 14, the US further announced a reduction in de minimis tariffs, from a previous high of approximately 120% to approximately 54%, and even some commercial parcels from China were reduced to approximately 30%.
On August 11, the US President signed an executive order extending the implementation period of the tariff escalation on Chinese goods for another 90 days, with a new target date of November 10.
Adjustments and Suspensions of Tariffs Between China and the US (September-November 2025)
In September and October, the US, through the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), initiated a new Section 301 investigation into China, questioning China’s implementation of the “Phase One Trade Agreement.”
On October 14, the US imposed port fees on some Chinese ships and vessels, and China retaliated by imposing tariffs on US ships.
On November 10, according to the White House, the US will adjust the fentanyl-related tariffs on China from 20% to 10%.
Summary of Tariffs Between China and the US in 2025
The tariff adjustments between China and the US in 2025 are not isolated policies, but rather a systematic optimization based on bilateral trade consultations. The core focus is on three main directions: “reducing tariffs, easing regulations, and reducing costs,” exhibiting characteristics of “structural reduction, targeted easing, and cyclical stability.”
The key highlight of this tariff adjustment is the significant decrease in the overall effective tariff rate. According to CICC’s calculations, during April-September 2025, the overall effective tariff rate imposed by the US on China was 27%, while after the Kuala Lumpur consultations, this rate will drop to 17%, a decrease of 10 percentage points. Specifically, the US explicitly canceled the 10% so-called “fentanyl tariff” imposed on Chinese goods (including goods from Hong Kong and Macau), while simultaneously suspending the previously imposed 24% retaliatory tariff for another year. China also adjusted its corresponding countermeasures accordingly. This adjustment broke the previous uncertainty surrounding tariff policy, injecting stable expectations into Sino-US trade, and directly reducing cost pressures, especially for industries highly dependent on exports.
Complementing the tariff adjustment was a phased relaxation of export control policies. The US Department of Commerce’s previously introduced “50% penetration rule”—meaning any subsidiary of an entity on the Entity List that is more than 50% owned by an entity on the Entity List is subject to restrictions—will be suspended for one year. At the same time, China also suspended export control measures announced on October 9, 2025, concerning rare earth-related technologies, lithium batteries, and artificial graphite anode materials, for one year. This “two-way easing” broke the previous deadlock in key trade areas, creating space for technological cooperation and the flow of goods between China and the US in areas such as high-end manufacturing and new materials.
The reduction of trade-related costs is also a key aspect of this adjustment. In October 2025, the United States imposed port fee restrictions on China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors based on a Section 301 investigation. China subsequently retaliated by imposing special port fees on vessels containing US elements. Following this consultation, both sides agreed to suspend these measures for one year, directly reducing logistics costs in international trade and minimizing efficiency losses in the transportation process, particularly benefiting industries such as container shipping, oil tanker shipping, and dry bulk shipping.
From a long-term perspective, the tariff adjustment in 2025 is likely the beginning of a period of “stabilizing expectations and reducing friction” in Sino-US trade relations. After this adjustment, the effective US tariff rate on China will be 17%, still higher than that of Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam (18.5%) and Thailand (16.8%), but the gap has narrowed significantly, helping to enhance the price competitiveness of Chinese goods in the US market. At the same time, both sides agreed to continue extending some tariff exclusion measures, providing a more stable policy environment for businesses and avoiding operational difficulties caused by repeated tariff adjustments.
Potential Impact of 2025 Tariffs on Costs of Shipping from China to the US
Tariff changes not only affect the final selling price of goods but also have a significant impact on the logistics process. If tariffs on certain product categories increase, companies are more likely to opt for partial shipments and small-batch replenishment to reduce financial pressure, leading to higher unit costs in the transportation. Conversely, tariff reductions are more conducive to full container shipments and maintaining regular replenishment schedules.
Furthermore, as some industries will still face high tariffs in 2025, more companies are choosing to declare lower values in the US or try different trade terms to adjust their overall tax burden. For example, they may choose the DDP model to have a freight forwarder pay taxes on their behalf, or use professional compliance services to avoid penalties for incorrect declarations. Regardless of the method used, companies must clearly understand the cost structure of the entire process to avoid situations where tariff changes cause uncontrollable overall logistics expenses.
How Much does it Cost to Ship from China to the USA?
Commonly Used HS Codes and Example Tariffs in 2025
| HS Code | Product Description | Base Tariff | Additional Tariff (If Applicable) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 850440 | Power Supplies & Chargers | 2.7% | 25% | High scrutiny in 2025 |
| 940161 | Upholstered Seats | 0% | 7.5% | Possible tariff relief in 2025 |
| 854442 | Electric Cables | 3.5% | 0–25% | Depends on classification |
| 732393 | Stainless Steel Tableware | 0–2.9% | 0% | Easier clearance |
| 950300 | Toys | 0% | 0–7.5% | Low-risk category |
Compliance Strategies for Addressing US Tariff Changes in 2025
With the trade environment becoming more complex in 2025, businesses urgently need to establish systematic compliance strategies. First, they should strengthen the review of HS codes to avoid increased tariffs or penalties due to incorrect classification. Second, supply chain transparency must be improved, especially for goods with cross-border processing links; documentation and production evidence should be prepared in advance to cope with potential audits. Third, businesses should pay attention to the latest implementation guidance issued by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and adjust shipping methods, declaration methods, and trade terms accordingly.
Additionally, businesses can collaborate with freight forwarders with strong compliance capabilities. Their professional teams can assist in calculating tariffs, preparing classification documents, and even providing tariff optimization advice. For example, some Chinese freight forwarding companies can provide DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) services to help businesses lock in overall costs in advance and reduce uncontrollable risks. For cross-border e-commerce, it is even more important to pay attention to changes in inbound channels, such as whether Section 321 will be tightened or whether the review of low-value parcels will be strengthened.