Quick Summary
The elimination of the de minimis tariff exemption has created significant challenges for international interlibrary loan (ILL). Some libraries have paused international lending to and from the United States, while others are continuing to ship, sharing their strategies for successful shipments.
An executive order removing the de minimis tariff exception took effect on August 29, 2025, removing the previous rule that allowed shipments valued at $800 or less to enter the U.S. without tariffs or extensive customs paperwork.
Although ILL materials are not for sale and are for temporary use, therefore exempt from such fees under previous exemptions, the new policy has caused confusion and made international interlibrary loan more complex. Concerns over unexpected tariffs and the risk of materials being lost in transit have led many U.S. libraries to suspend their international ILL services. As a result, some libraries in other countries have stopped lending materials to the U.S. altogether, and some postal services have suspended shipments to the country entirely.
In response to these challenges, libraries are sharing strategies to minimize the disruption and restart services. These solutions include using alternative shipping carriers and developing specific language for customs forms to clarify that the materials are non-commercial. However, many libraries that continue to participate in international ILL are struggling to navigate the new landscape of increased costs and administrative burdens.
For more background information, Dennis Massie, a Senior Program Officer for OCLC, has written an excellent overview of the issue in his article, "Rising to the challenge: How the SHARES resource sharing community navigated a global disruption to international shipping."
To stay informed on this issue, check out the new portal dedicated to international interlibrary loan as it relates to the U.S., created by the Sharing and Transforming Access to Resources Section of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA).
