For decades, imported goods valued under $800 entered the U.S. tariff-free under what’s known as the de minimis exemption. It simplified international shipping by sparing carriers and customs officials from processing paperwork for low-value items. While libraries loan books to each other, and in theory shouldn’t be impacted by the new rules, the reality has been quite different.
Since the executive order went into effect on August 29, delays, confusion, and unexpected costs have led some libraries to stop all international interlibrary loans.
“We’re seeing everything from $5 tariffs to hundreds of dollars in unexplained brokerage fees,” Long says. “There’s no consistent rationale. Some carriers are just overwhelmed, and others seem to be applying rules unevenly, I think due to the confusion surrounding this mess.”
In some cases, packages have been held until fees are paid or even destroyed if paperwork doesn’t meet the carriers’ shifting standards
To help libraries navigate the crisis, Long built a new website in collaboration with several professional committees. Through the American Library Association’s RUSA STARS International Interlibrary Loan Committee and the OCLC SHARES consortium, he and colleagues are crowdsourcing data on fees, blocked shipments, and best practices for labeling and customs language.
“German libraries, for example, have stopped shipping books to the U.S. almost entirely,” Long says. “We’re trying to gather information from as many institutions as possible so we can identify patterns and propose solutions.”
Despite the uncertainty, Long remains optimistic.
“Libraries have always adapted to change, whether it’s digital transformation or global disruption,” he says. “Our goal is to keep information accessible and make sure patrons can access the materials they need, wherever they are.”
For now, though, international interlibrary loan remains tangled in red tape, and librarians like Long are working diligently to untangle it.
