De Minimis

Defined

De minimis the first words of the Latin phrase de minimis non curat lex, meaning "the law does not concern itself with trifles," is a concept incorporated into most trade programs to allow some small amount of non-comforming inputs. Typical textile de minimis limits are seven or ten percent and typically applied to fibers and yarn, but not fabric. Care must be taken to examine the specific de minimis provision of the free trade agreement or preference program as they can differ in important points such as whether elastomeric yarns can come under the provision and how the provision is applied (by weight per component, by weight per garment, etc.) Note it's minimis, ablative case, not minimus, nominative case.

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This page last updated 5/22/2014.