Chinese association opposes US move to cancel duty-free treatment for low-value goods

The China Express Association strongly opposed the recent decision by the United States to revoke duty-free treatment for low-value imported goods from China on Thursday, a move that could disrupt international trade and increase costs for American consumers.

In a statement released on Thursday, the association expressed firm discontent with the US policy change. The policy removes the previous exemption on import duties for overseas packages valued under $800, commonly referred to as the "small package duty exemption".

Over the years, Chinese postal and courier enterprises have utilized international delivery networks to transport cross-border e-commerce packages to American consumers, meeting their personalized shopping demands, reducing costs and improving their quality of life, the statement said. The sudden revocation of the exemption is expected to have severe implications for international trade and will particularly affect American families and younger consumers who rely on affordable cross-border shopping, potentially leading to higher costs and slower deliveries, it said.

"We strongly urge the US to reconsider this decision and take necessary measures to foster a fair and predictable policy environment for cross-border e-commerce and international shipping," the association said.

The association also emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between Chinese and American postal and courier enterprises to ensure a stable and efficient international delivery system for American consumers, "We hope to work together to maintain seamless access to desired products for US shoppers through a reliable and convenient global logistics network," it said.