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The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — And It's Paying 25% More

  Sunday, July 19, 2026 If you've relied on the quarterly GST/HST credit, that name is gone for good. Here's what replaced it, how much more it's worth, and whether you need to do anything to get it. For years, the GST/HST credit quietly landed in millions of Canadian bank accounts every three months — a modest, tax-free top-up meant to offset sales tax on everyday purchases. As of this month, that program no longer exists under its old name. It's now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) , and the federal government has permanently increased the payment by 25%, locked in for five years. If you already qualified for the GST/HST credit, you don't need to apply for anything new. But you should know what changed, because the numbers — and the timeline — are more involved than a simple rename. What actually changed The CGEB was first announced by the federal government in January 2026 as part of a broader affordability push, and it became law with the passa...
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End of U.S. Low-Value Import Loophole Signals Higher Costs for Online Shoppers

Retail analysts say that the end of de minimis will likely raise prices for many goods sold through e-commerce companies, as goods that previously avoided tariffs because of the exemption will ultimately be charged duties.

The United States has officially ended its long-standing tariff exemption for imported packages valued under $800, a move set to reshape e-commerce supply chains and raise costs for both businesses and consumers.

As of August 29, 2025, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) now applies standard duty rates to all global parcel imports, regardless of value, origin, or shipping method. For the next six months, foreign postal agencies can opt for a flat-rate duty of $80 to $200 per package, depending on the country of origin.

The change expands on earlier restrictions targeting shipments from China and Hong Kong, initially aimed at curbing the flow of fentanyl and other prohibited goods. Supporters, including U.S. textile manufacturers, hail the policy as a “historic win” for domestic industry, closing a loophole that allowed foreign fast-fashion brands to bypass tariffs and undercut American jobs.

However, retail analysts warn that the end of the so-called de minimis rule will likely increase prices for many online purchases, particularly from overseas sellers on platforms like Shein, Temu, eBay, and Etsy. Small businesses reliant on cross-border sales may also face added paperwork, customs delays, and reduced competitiveness against large retailers that import in bulk.

CBP data shows the number of packages claiming the exemption surged from 139 million in 2015 to 1.36 billion in 2024 — nearly 4 million parcels per day. With the loophole now closed, the U.S. government expects to collect billions in additional tariff revenue annually.

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