Current postal duty structure (starting July 24, 2026)
Starting July 24, 2026, postal shipments to the United States are subject to the same duty structure as commercial shipments:
- MFN (Most Favored Nation) rates: Standard duty rates based on each item's HTS classification and country of origin — applying to postal shipments for the first time
- Expected Section 301 tariff: 10–12.5% depending on country of origin, replacing the expiring Section 122 surcharge — not yet finalized, subject to USTR final action, and may change. Zonos uses the exact tariff line-item name "Section 301 Forced Labor Tariff (this is a proposed tariff, subject to USTR's final action, and may change)" in calculations.
- Section 232 tariffs: Apply to postal shipments the same as commercial (steel, aluminum, copper, auto parts, and other Section 232-covered products) — see section below
- Other applicable tariffs: Antidumping, countervailing duties, and other trade remedies based on the item's HTS code
Context: Standard MFN rates and Section 232 have applied to commercial shipments since August 2025. Postal had a temporary exemption that ends July 24 — for MFN and Section 232, postal is catching up to commercial. The expected Section 301 tariff is new for both postal and commercial.
Section 232 now applies to postal shipments
As of July 24, 2026, Section 232 tariffs apply to postal shipments the same as commercial shipments. There is no longer a separate postal treatment for Section 232-covered products (steel, aluminum, copper, auto parts, and other covered categories).
Before July 24, postal shipments of Section 232-covered products were subject only to the 10% Section 122 surcharge. Starting July 24, Section 232 rates stack on top of MFN rates and the expected Section 301 tariff, just as they do for commercial shipments.
Multi-item packages: Individual calculation
When a package contains multiple items from different countries, Zonos uses individual item calculation — each item is assessed based on its own HTS code and country of origin, then totaled for the shipment.
Flagged for confirmation: This section's example table used flat-10% Section 122 rates that no longer apply. The underlying mechanic (Zonos calculates per-item) still holds — but the example values need replacing once Section 301 rates are finalized. Brit/Kylie: confirm whether to remove or replace this section in the follow-up pass.
USMCA and postal shipments
Starting July 24, 2026, USMCA (United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement) can potentially apply to postal shipments. Before July 24, all postal shipments paid a flat Section 122 rate regardless of USMCA qualification, and there was no mechanism to claim USMCA preference in the postal environment.
Requirements: USMCA preference for postal shipments requires a certificate of origin. More detail on the certificate of origin process for postal shipments will be published here once available.
Value thresholds and entry requirements
Under $2,500: Postal DDP process
Starting July 24, 2026, packages valued under $2,500 USD can be processed through the postal DDP system:
- Applicable duties (MFN + expected Section 301 + Section 232 as applicable) must be collected at origin
- No formal entry required with CBP
- Carriers or qualified parties remit duties monthly to CBP
This threshold was $800 prior to July 24, 2026. A $1,000 shipment that did not require prepaid duties before July 24 will require them starting July 24.
Trigger is arrival date, not transaction date: A shipment quoted before July 24 but arriving on or after July 24 is subject to the new rules.
Above $2,500
Returns and repairs
Rules
- Unused merchandise returns: Eligible for duty-free status if the package is intact and bears the proper original USPS labelling.
- Repairs and used goods: Not eligible for duty-free treatment; standard duty rates (MFN plus applicable tariffs based on country of origin and HTS code) apply.
Non-deliverables and refunds
Current state: There are no refund mechanisms in place for non-deliverables by post. Plan collections and customer communications accordingly.
Postal exemptions (as of Sept. 16, 2025)
The following are the only postal exemptions allowed by CBP for shipments under $2,500. Anything not listed here is subject to applicable duty rates.
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Goods covered under 50 U.S.C. § 1702(b) Includes certain donations and informational materials. See the HTS list of informational materials below.
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Bona fide gifts (19 C.F.R. § 10.153(a)) Articles formerly owned by a donor and given outright, without compensation or promise of compensation. This does not include purchased items, items exchanged, or promotional "bonus" goods tied to a transaction.
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Mail flats, documents, and letters (P and G format mail shipments) Provided they do not contain merchandise.
Informational materials – HTS codes exempt under 50 U.S.C. § 1702(b)
- Chapter 49
- Headings: 3704, 3705, 3706, 5807, 8310, 9701, 9702, 9703, 9704, and 9705
- Subheadings: 6307.90.30, 6307.90.85, 8523.80.10, 8523.29, 8523.41, 8523.49, 9405.61, 9405.69
Clarification on Chapter 98 HTS codes
"No, the only exemptions are outlined in the guidance and the EO. Effective August 29, 2025, de minimis duty-free treatment under 19 U.S.C. § 1321(a)(2)(C) will no longer be available for shipments entering into the United States not covered by 50 U.S.C. § 1702(b), including those entering through international mail."
What replaced Section 122 for postal shipments starting July 24?
The Section 122 flat 10% surcharge expires July 24, 2026. The expected replacement is the Section 301 tariff at 10–12.5% depending on country of origin — not yet finalized, subject to USTR final action, and may change. Standard MFN duty rates also apply to postal shipments for the first time starting July 24, stacking with Section 301 and any applicable Section 232 tariffs.
Can I use the postal DDP process for packages over $800?
Yes, starting July 24, 2026. The postal DDP threshold rises from $800 to $2,500. Packages valued under $2,500 USD can be processed through the postal DDP system with duties collected at origin.
For entry requirements on packages above $2,500, see the Value thresholds section above — CBP guidance on the informal/formal entry boundary is pending confirmation.
What happened to fentanyl-related IEEPA tariffs for postal?
Fentanyl-related IEEPA tariffs (which previously added 10–20% for China) ended February 24, 2026 along with all other IEEPA-based tariffs. They were replaced by the Section 122 flat 10% surcharge through July 23, 2026.
Do Section 301 tariffs apply to postal shipments starting July 24?
Starting July 24, 2026, Section 301 tariffs are expected to apply to postal shipments. Before July 24, postal shipments were subject only to the Section 122 surcharge and Section 301 did not apply to postal clearance. The expected Section 301 rate is 10–12.5% depending on country of origin — not yet finalized, subject to USTR final action, and may change.
Can I change calculation methods?
Zonos uses individual item calculation for all postal shipments. This method:
- Calculates each item based on its own country of origin and HTS code
- Ensures accurate CBP reporting and duty remittance
- Eliminates the need for complex methodology switching
What happens if CBP determines different duties should have been applied?
If CBP determines that different duties should have been applied:
- Higher assessment: You'll be invoiced for the difference
- Lower assessment: You'll receive a credit on your next invoice
- Common causes: Incorrect country of origin, product classification errors
- Protection: Some solutions offer landed cost guarantees against increases
Prevention tips:
- Ensure accurate country of origin declarations
- Use proper HS code classifications
- Maintain detailed product documentation
What happens if a platform or merchant uses a provider other than Zonos for duty calculation?
No problem. If duty was calculated by another provider, Zonos still collects and remits the duties to CBP for postal shipments when Zonos is the compliance/billing party. The key is that duties flow through Zonos for collection and remittance, ensuring compliance and uninterrupted postal clearance.
If a postal shipment contains multiple items with different countries of origin, how are duties calculated?
Duties are calculated per item using each item's country of origin and HTS code, then summed to determine the total duty for the shipment.
How are gifts over 100 USD handled?
If a shipment is marked Gift and its value exceeds 100 USD, duties apply on the total value of the gift.
Are postal exemptions still available under de minimis?
Yes — but only the three exemptions listed (informational materials, bona fide gifts, and non-merchandise mail). Annex II exemptions do not apply to international mail.
Resources and updates
Postal tariff rates are subject to frequent changes based on ongoing trade policy decisions. Key resources:
- CBP CSMS messages: Official guidance on tariff updates
- CBP Publications: New Tariff Requirements for 2025
- Executive Orders: Presidential directives affecting tariffs
- Federal Register: Formal rule publications
- Trade bulletins: Industry-specific updates
Stay informed: Tariff rates can change with new executive orders and CBP guidance. Subscribe to CBP trade notifications and work with qualified parties who maintain current rate schedules.
Postal Tariffs
Understanding how tariffs are calculated and applied to postal shipments to the United States.
Starting July 24, 2026, postal and commercial duty rates converge. The Section 122 surcharge (flat 10%) expires July 24. Standard MFN duty rates apply to postal shipments for the first time, alongside the expected Section 301 tariff (10–12.5% by country of origin — not yet finalized, subject to change). Section 232 tariffs now apply to postal shipments the same as commercial. The postal DDP threshold rises from $800 to $2,500. See IEEPA tariff ruling updates for full details.
IEEPA-based tariffs ended at 12:00 a.m. EST on February 24, 2026. Postal shipment duties were reset to the 10% Section 122 global surcharge through July 23, 2026. That surcharge expires July 24 — see the banner above.