diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-pipeline.yml b/.github/workflows/build-pipeline.yml
index db48fa79..0685e4a9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-pipeline.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-pipeline.yml
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ jobs:
     needs: build
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python-version: ["3.7", "3.8", "3.9", "3.10", "3.11", "3.12"]
+        python-version: ["3.8", "3.9", "3.10", "3.11", "3.12"]
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - name: Set up Python ${{ matrix.python-version }}
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index e9f5a515..bb485ffd 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ or ask on the discussion forum.
 
 ### General policy
 
-Currently, pyHanko aims to remain compatible with Python versions 3.7 and up,
+Currently, pyHanko aims to remain compatible with Python versions 3.8 and up,
 and this is expected of new contributions as well (for the time being).
 
 PyHanko follows [SemVer](https://semver.org/), but has not yet reached `1.0.0`.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0532852b..1ba2669c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ pip install pyHanko[pkcs11,image-support,opentype,xmp]
 This `pip` invocation includes the optional dependencies required for PKCS#11, image handling and
 OpenType/TrueType support.
 
-PyHanko requires Python 3.7 or later.
+PyHanko requires Python 3.8 or later.
 
 ### Contributing
 
diff --git a/pyhanko/cli/_root.py b/pyhanko/cli/_root.py
index 640d24d3..eb43f169 100644
--- a/pyhanko/cli/_root.py
+++ b/pyhanko/cli/_root.py
@@ -112,20 +112,6 @@ def _root(ctx: click.Context, config, verbose, no_plugins):
 
 def _load_plugins(root_config: Optional[CLIRootConfig], plugins_enabled: bool):
     import sys
-
-    if sys.version_info < (3, 8):
-        from pyhanko.cli.commands.signing.pkcs11_cli import (
-            BEIDPlugin,
-            PKCS11Plugin,
-        )
-        from pyhanko.cli.commands.signing.simple import (
-            PemderPlugin,
-            PKCS12Plugin,
-        )
-
-        # no plugins on 3.7, only load defaults
-        return [PemderPlugin(), PKCS12Plugin(), PKCS11Plugin(), BEIDPlugin()]
-
     from importlib import metadata
 
     # we always load the default ones
diff --git a/pyhanko/config/api.py b/pyhanko/config/api.py
index fff29ada..7cb8b62e 100644
--- a/pyhanko/config/api.py
+++ b/pyhanko/config/api.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 
 import dataclasses
 import re
-from typing import Any, Optional, Set, Tuple, Type, Union
+from typing import Optional, Set, Type, Union
 
 from asn1crypto.core import BitString, ObjectIdentifier
 
@@ -31,21 +31,7 @@ def _unwrap_type_annot(thing) -> Optional[type]:
     if isinstance(thing, type):
         the_type = thing
     else:
-        try:
-            from typing import get_args, get_origin
-        except ImportError:  # pragma: nocover
-            # backwards compatibility with Python 3.7
-            def get_args(tp: Any) -> Tuple[Any, ...]:
-                try:
-                    return tp.__args__
-                except AttributeError:
-                    return ()
-
-            def get_origin(tp: Any) -> Optional[Any]:
-                try:
-                    return tp.__origin__
-                except AttributeError:
-                    return None
+        from typing import get_args, get_origin
 
         # is it an optional? (i.e. Union[X, None])
         # if so, retrieve the wrapped type
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 40240c03..8fa81f32 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ classifiers = [
     "Operating System :: OS Independent",
     "License :: OSI Approved :: MIT License",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3",
-    "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10",
@@ -33,7 +32,7 @@ classifiers = [
     "Topic :: Security :: Cryptography",
     "Topic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python Modules",
 ]
-requires-python = ">=3.7"
+requires-python = ">=3.8"
 dependencies = [
     "asn1crypto>=1.5.1",
     "qrcode>=7.3.1",