New Customs Rule Threatens Access to Lower-Cost Canadian Prescriptions for Millions
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection rule set to take effect Oct. 22 will suspend the de minimis exemption for shipments under $800, adding data and bond requirements for international mail. The change is intended to collect tariffs and block illegal drugs, but critics warn it could delay or block medications that millions of Americans order from Canada. The rule comes as the Trump administration promotes lower drug prices through other initiatives.
Starting Oct. 22, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will indefinitely halt the low-value shipment exemption that let goods under $800 clear customs with less scrutiny. International mail containing medicine will then need extra data and a bond guarantee. Although the measure covers many imports and aims to collect duties and stop illicit drugs, patients who rely on Canadian pharmacies could face delays or refusals.
About 2.3 million Americans purchased medications overseas in 2020, according to JAMA Network. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has pursued lower drug costs through most-favored-nation agreements and a discount drug website; federal data this summer showed U.S. prescription prices fell 3.1% year over year, the largest such decline since 1963.
The change may most affect older adults, patients with chronic conditions, and others who depend on lower-cost Canadian medications, especially if alternatives are unavailable or pricier domestically. Delays or refusals could disrupt treatment routines and increase out-of-pocket burdens, while broader importers may also face added paperwork and costs. Because the rule applies generally to international mail, its social effects could extend beyond prescription buyers, though the full scale may depend on enforcement and available substitutes.