U.S. Suspends Duty-Free Treatment for Sub-$800 Packages Shipped Through Non-Postal Channels
U.S. Customs has suspended duty-free treatment for low-value packages shipped through non-postal channels. Low-value goods sent by commercial express carriers will face higher duty costs and longer customs-clearance times.
What are the key facts?
- 1Effective immediately
- 2Duty-free treatment suspended for low-value packages shipped through non-postal channels (express/freight)
- 3All such goods require customs entry and payment of taxes and duties
What happened?
The U.S. government announced an indefinite suspension of duty-free treatment for packages valued below $800 shipped through non-postal channels. All such goods must undergo formal or informal customs entry and pay applicable taxes and duties, directly increasing logistics costs for cross-border sellers.
What does this mean for cross-border sellers?
Sellers relying on direct shipment of small parcels should assess their ability to raise prices or consider switching to international postal networks and overseas warehousing.