The "de minimis" trade loophole that allowed cheap packages to come to the U.S. duty-free is closing. Ecommerce customers are already feeling the sting.

A duty-free loophole for low-value packages has been closed by President Donald Trump, pushing up prices for US customers of firms like Shein and Temu. The Chinese online retail giants relied on the so-called "de minimis" exemption to sell and ship low-value items directly to the US without having to pay duties or import taxes.

President Donald Trump has closed a tariff loophole that allowed Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu to sell low-cost goods in the U.S. without paying duties—a move that is expected to drive up prices for American consumers.