US tightens customs on Chinese cargo as trade tensions reshape e-commerce flows

U.S. Customs enforcement on China-origin shipments has intensified sharply in 2026, with the new “5H inspection hold” driving delays across major ports. Over 30% of containers at Los Angeles and Long Beach are now flagged for document scrutiny, with thousands detained or returned due to discrepancies.

Key policy shifts include suspension of the $800 de minimis exemption for Chinese goods, mandatory formal entry for all shipments, and effective tariff stacks exceeding 50% in many cases.

China’s response has been structural rather than retaliatory. Beijing is easing cross-border e-commerce returns by allowing re-entry through any customs port from April 2026, reducing cost and processing time for exporters.

The current friction traces back to the 2018 U.S.–China trade war under Section 301 tariffs, which fundamentally altered bilateral trade flows. Despite tensions, total goods trade between the two economies still exceeds ~$575 billion annually, making decoupling impractical.

Operationally, Chinese platforms are shifting toward overseas warehousing models, while U.S. importers are restructuring supply chains to remain compliant under tighter customs regimes.