Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-MP)
Territorial De Minimis Exemption Act
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Territorial De Minimis Exemption Act permanently allows articles from certain U.S. territories to enter the United States free of duty and import taxes. This applies to articles with an aggregate fair retail value of up to $800 per person per day. The covered territories include Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, the bill includes the Northern Mariana Islands in the bona fide gifts exemption. Finally, it requires the President to consult with other officials to avoid trade policy changes that adversely affect commerce in U.S. territories.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
Business owners importing from territories benefit from permanent duty-free status.
- Scored +3
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
Lower import costs for small businesses dealing with territorial goods.
- Scored +3
Does this make it easier to do business across state lines?
Enhances commerce between U.S. territories and the mainland United States.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
Permanently exempting duties results in a slight loss of potential federal revenue.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Duty-Free Imports: People importing articles from covered territories can avoid paying duties and taxes on goods valued up to $800 per day, which reduces costs (Section 2(a)).
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Expanded Gift Exemptions: Individuals sending or receiving bona fide gifts from the Northern Mariana Islands may benefit from the inclusion of that territory in the gift exemption (Section 3).
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Protection of Territorial Commerce: Trade policy changes are less likely to harm commerce in U.S. territories because the President must seek to ensure such changes do not adversely affect them or treat their goods as foreign imports (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on Shipments: People cannot split a single order or contract into separate lots to bypass the $800 limit and secure the duty-free privilege (Section 2(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Lower import costs for small businesses dealing with territorial goods. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Facilitates easier and cheaper trade for U.S. territories. Does this cut taxes for small businesses? — Small businesses importing from covered territories may see reduced duty costs. Is this likely to create jobs? — Potential for increased trade and economic activity in territories could support job growth. Does this cut taxes for middle-income families? — Reduces import taxes for individuals importing goods from U.S. territories up to $800. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — Permanently exempting duties results in a slight loss of potential federal revenue.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Business owners importing from territories benefit from permanent duty-free status. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Lower cost of goods from territories can benefit lower-income consumers. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Lower cost of goods from territories can benefit middle-class consumers.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — Enhances commerce between U.S. territories and the mainland United States.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Clarifies and improves the trade relationship between U.S. territories and the mainland.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Economic benefits to territories may support regional development.
- 1/8/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 11/7/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii
James MoylanRepublican · Guam
Stacey PlaskettDemocrat · Virgin Islands
Aumua Amata RadewagenRepublican · American Samoa