Consumers in the U.S. may notice higher prices when shopping for popular items such as Lululemon clothing or handmade jewelry on Etsy, due to the expiration of a tariff exemption that had previously kept costs lower.

The change comes as the federal government ends the De minimis exemption, a policy that allowed Americans to buy goods online from foreign sellers without paying import taxes, so long as the value of each purchase was under $800. For years, this exemption made it easier and cheaper for U.S. consumers to shop internationally, fueling the growth of online marketplaces that connect buyers with small businesses and manufacturers overseas.

Now that the exemption has expired, purchases from platforms like Etsy, eBay, Temu, and even some direct retail websites abroad will include new import charges, raising the overall cost for shoppers. Economists note that the shift could discourage frequent small purchases from overseas sellers and might drive some consumers back toward domestic retailers.

Small business owners who rely on selling their products to U.S. customers through global platforms also worry about a potential decline in demand. Meanwhile, supporters of the policy change argue that ending the exemption levels the playing field for American companies that have long faced tougher tax requirements than foreign competitors.

In short, online shopping for imported items—once a way to find unique goods at lower prices—has become more expensive, and both consumers and businesses are bracing for the impact.