US Tariffs, CUSMA, and Your RovisTech Order

Last updated: September 16, 2025

Quick summary

  • On August 29, 2025, the United States changed the treatment of low value shipments (the de minimis exemption). This resulted in many more cross-border e-commerce shipments being assessed duties and fees, which customers began noticing more frequently.
  • Between those de minimis rule changes and September 16, 2025, some RovisTech orders were charged duties. Depending on how duties were handled at checkout, customers either paid everything upfront or were billed by UPS at delivery along with a brokerage fee.
  • On September 16, 2025, RovisTech received official CUSMA (Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement) certification. This means all U.S. orders placed from this date forward are delivered duty free, with no extra customs or brokerage fees on arrival.

Timeline

  • 2018–2024: The United States imposed and adjusted tariffs on a range of goods. While relevant as background, the biggest impact on customers came later.
  • August 29, 2025: The U.S. de minimis threshold for duty free treatment of low value shipments changed. This meant that many shipments under the previous threshold became subject to duties and fees.
  • September 16, 2025: RovisTech completed CUSMA certification, ensuring all qualifying U.S. shipments are imported duty free with no extra fees for the customer.

How tariffs and duties affected RovisTech orders (what customers experienced)

  1. Why customers saw extra charges: When a package arrives in the U.S., U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) determines whether duties and taxes apply based on the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and the goods’ country of origin. If duties apply, the carrier (UPS) collects them before or at delivery.
  2. Who paid and how:
    • For orders where duties were collected at checkout, nothing further was due at delivery and UPS did not charge a brokerage fee.
    • For orders where duties were not collected at checkout, customers were required to pay the duties to UPS on delivery, along with UPS’s standard $25 brokerage fee.
  3. Which orders were affected: Orders placed and shipped into the United States before September 16, 2025 could have had duties assessed on import. From that date forward, duties are no longer applied due to RovisTech’s CUSMA certification.

What CUSMA (USMCA) certification actually means

CUSMA (also known as USMCA or T-MEC) is the trade agreement that replaced NAFTA. Under CUSMA, qualifying goods that meet the agreement’s rules of origin can be imported into the U.S. duty free if the shipment is supported by the required certification of origin.

Key practical points:

  • CUSMA does not require a single government-issued form. Instead, the certifier must provide a certification with the specified data elements. This can be included on the commercial invoice or provided separately.
  • To receive duty free treatment, the shipment must meet the rules of origin for the product. RovisTech now certifies all qualifying shipments.
  • With certification in place as of September 16, 2025, all U.S. orders now arrive duty free with no brokerage fees.

Important details and caveats

  • CUSMA applies only to goods that meet the rules of origin. All RovisTech products are now covered.
  • Other minor carrier processing steps may still occur, but as of September 16, 2025, RovisTech covers all brokerage and customs fees. Customers no longer receive additional bills from UPS or USPS.

FAQ

Q: I paid duties on my previous order. Will I get a refund?
A: No, unfortunately not. If you paid duties on an order placed before September 16, 2025, you are not eligible for a refund. At that time, RovisTech did not yet have CUSMA certification, and duties were paid directly to U.S. Customs, not to us.

Q: If I reorder today, will I be charged import duties?
A: No. All U.S. orders placed and shipped after September 16, 2025 are imported duty free under CUSMA.

Q: Will I still see carrier brokerage fees on delivery?
A: No. All fees are covered by RovisTech as of September 16, 2025. You will not see additional UPS brokerage fees.

Q: Can I see proof of your CUSMA certification?
A: Yes. On request, RovisTech can provide the certification information for your records.

We appreciate your patience and the feedback many customers gave that led us to prioritize obtaining this certification. Our goal is to make buying from RovisTech straightforward: no surprises, transparent documentation, and clear lines of communication.

This page is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute legal, accounting, or customs brokerage advice. For official determinations of duties or for legal advice on origin and qualification under CUSMA, consult a customs broker or trade professional.