How to navigate the new U.S. postal imports
Changes for e-commerce businesses shipping into the U.S.
This year U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) introduced new regulations that affect e-commerce businesses shipping into the U.S. via the international postal network.
On 24 July 2026, new rules formally suspended the long-standing de minimis exemption for low-value postal shipments entering the U.S., and introduced a new Postal Informal Entry Process for eligible mail items shipping into the U.S. From 22 October 2026, the existing process will be replaced by a more digital and standardised model for postal imports. Together, these changes in regulations represent one of the biggest transformations in U.S. postal imports to date.
Implications for cross-border shipping extend beyond compliance. These developments offer a glimpse into how cross-border commerce is likely to operate in the future: showing a landscape where data quality, product transparency, and customs readiness are increasingly important.
Spring GDS has been helping e-commerce businesses understand these changes and prepare for their impact. Read our recommendations for how to navigate this transition, and an overview of how developments are shaping the future of international trade.
What’s changed?
The change to U.S. postal entry requirements began from 9 August 2025. For many years, imported goods valued at 800 USD or less could enter the U.S. under the de minimis administrative exemption. This was followed by the implementation of a global 10% tariff on all items imported into the U.S. from 24 February 2026, with certain products excepted.
The suspension of postal de minimis treatment
The initial change was the indefinite suspension of the de minimis exemption for imports valued at 800 USD or less arriving through the international postal network. As of 9 August 2025, CBP suspended that exemption indefinitely for merchandise arriving through the international postal network. Postal shipments that previously benefited from simplified treatment became subject to customs processing, tariff classification, and duty assessment under the new framework.
Developments from 24 July 2026
This phase of the new requirements introduced several important changes to postal shipments entering the U.S. While the updates may appear technical, they signal a clear direction of travel for the industry. Postal imports are increasingly being aligned with processes that have traditionally applied to commercial freight.
Perhaps the most significant development is the application of standard US customs duties to postal shipments. This includes:
Most Favoured Nation (MFN) duties
Section 232 tariffs where applicable
Section 301 tariffs where applicable
Historically, postal channels often benefited from different treatment compared with commercial imports. The 24 July changes reduce that distinction, creating closer alignment across import channels.
This means that for businesses shipping into the U.S., duty calculation and landed cost management are increasingly important considerations when developing their cross-border strategy.
Alongside the new duty framework, the maximum shipment value increased from 800 USD to 2,500 USD.
This creates new opportunities for retailers shipping higher-value products through postal networks. For many businesses, it provides additional flexibility when determining the most suitable route to market.
Another change introduced on 24 July was an additional customs data requirement: the individual weight of each item inside a parcel.
On the surface, this may appear to be a relatively small update. In reality, it reflects a wider movement towards greater shipment-level visibility.
Around the world, customs authorities are relying more heavily on detailed electronic data to make risk assessments and improve processing efficiency. The U.S. is following a similar path.
Licensed customs brokers become mandatory
From 24 July, a licensed customs broker also became a mandatory part of the postal import process. This is another example of postal shipments moving closer to commercial customs procedures.
For Spring GDS customers, this requirement is already covered through their operational framework with PostNL, so customers can continue shipping without needing to implement their own customs brokerage solutions.
What changes from 22 October 2026?
While the 24 July changes were significant, the 22 October implementation may prove even more impactful.
From 22 October 2026, the existing process will be replaced by a new Entry Type 13 Informal Mail Entry model. This introduces a more digital and standardised approach to postal imports entering the U.S.
The shift is part of a broader global trend. Around the world, postal and commercial customs processes are becoming increasingly aligned as authorities seek greater oversight and consistency.
Under the new framework, postal shipments valued below 2,500 USD will need to be electronically filed through US Customs and Border Protection's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). This reflects the growing importance of advance electronic data in global trade.
For businesses, the message is clear: accurate and complete shipment information is no longer optional. It is becoming a core requirement for international commerce.
Another major development is the extension of Partner Government Agency (PGA) reviews into postal traffic.
This means agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) may become involved in reviewing certain postal imports where applicable.
For businesses selling regulated products, compliance requirements are expected to become more visible within postal shipping processes. Additional data fields and supporting information may be needed for some product categories as implementation progresses.
The October changes also highlight the increasing importance of product compliance data.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's eFiling programme will require certificates of compliance for certain imported consumer products to be submitted electronically at the time of entry into the U.S. While this rule does not introduce new safety tests, it strengthens the enforcement of existing compliance requirements for selected products, including:
Children’s Product Certificate (CPC): for items intended for children aged 12 and under.
General Certificate of Conformity (GCC): for certain regulated consumer goods including mattresses, bike helmets, selected textiles, or specific electronic items.
The importance of good product data
These changes in regulations have highlighted the importance of merchants providing clear, accurate product data for customs authorities. When shipping high volumes across borders, improving product descriptions can significantly affect the cost and speed of deliveries.
At Spring GDS, we regularly see cases where products shipped to the U.S. are categorised to the highest duty levels (48%), when a more accurate product description could have resulted in a much lower rate (lowest: 7.5%). With increased regulatory scrutiny, vague or incomplete product descriptions risk triggering additional reviews by Partner Government Agencies (PGAs), causing delays.
Why these changes matter beyond the U.S.
Although these updates focus on one market, their significance stretches beyond U.S. borders. Across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, customs authorities are introducing systems that rely on advance data, digital declarations, and automated risk assessment.
As a result, businesses are finding that accurate product descriptions, classification codes, and compliance information help support faster customs clearance and reduce the risk of delays or interventions. Poor data can have a direct impact on customer experience and operational performance.
Global logistics partners must help businesses prepare for the future
Spring GDS is approaching the 2026 US postal reforms as part of a larger transformation taking place across international logistics. Our role is not simply to help e-commerce businesses adapt to a specific regulatory change, but to help them build the foundations needed for an increasingly digital customs environment.
In recent months, this has included helping our customers understand regulatory developments, reviewing potential impacts on their operations, and supporting improvements to shipment data quality and product classification processes.
Clear communication is essential. Regulatory change can often feel complex, particularly when new requirements emerge in phases. Helping customers understand what has changed, what action is required immediately, and what should be monitored for the future remains key to supporting businesses shipping internationally.
Looking ahead
The new U.S. postal entry requirements are about more than customs procedures. They provide a preview of the future of cross-border commerce.
Key developments to continue monitoring are:
The distinction between postal and commercial imports is narrowing.
Digital filing is becoming the norm.
Product data is becoming a strategic asset rather than an administrative requirement.
For businesses operating internationally, the challenge is not simply adapting to new rules. It is preparing for a future where transparency, compliance, and data quality underpin every successful cross-border shipment. Successful international logistics is no longer just about moving parcels: it is about moving information with the same accuracy, visibility, and reliability as the goods themselves.