US Customs Ends De Minimis Tax Exemptions on Low Value Imports
All imports under eight hundred dollars require formal or informal entry procedures and are subject to standard customs duties.
Postal Entry Requirements
Inbound Protocol
Regulatory standards for mail shipments crossing international borders define the specific rules that packages must follow to be accepted by a national postal service. For global shippers, postal entry requirements include limits on weight and dimensions. These rules are set by both the Universal Postal Union and individual country governments.
Compliance ensures that a package is not rejected or returned at the border.
Documentation Standard
Shippers must provide accurate electronic data about the contents and value of every parcel before it arrives. Modern postal entry requirements often mandate the use of Harmonized System codes to identify the goods for tax and duty purposes. If the value exceeds a certain threshold, the shipment may require a formal customs entry.
Accurate addressing and the use of approved labels are also essential for the automated sorting systems used by most postal operators.
Security Screening
Customs and security officials use the provided data to screen parcels for prohibited items or unpaid taxes. When a package fails to meet postal entry requirements, it can be held for inspection or destroyed if the contents are dangerous. Many countries have recently tightened these rules to prevent the shipment of illegal drugs and counterfeit goods.
These changes have forced e commerce sellers to upgrade their shipping software to ensure they capture all the necessary data at the point of sale. Failing to follow the rules often leads to poor customer experiences and lost revenue.