Postal vs Commercial Shipments After the De Minimis Suspension

The suspension of Section 321 de minimis treatment fundamentally changed how goods enter the United States. While many importers understand that the $800 duty-free threshold has been suspended, far fewer realize that postal shipments and commercial shipments now follow entirely different customs processes.

This distinction has become one of the biggest sources of confusion for e-commerce businesses, overseas sellers, and individual importers. A package shipped through an international postal service may be processed under one duty collection system, while an identical package shipped through a commercial courier such as DHL, FedEx, or UPS follows an entirely different customs entry process.

Understanding which system applies to your shipment is essential because it affects who pays the duty, what documentation is required, how customs clearance works, and ultimately how much importing costs.

In this guide, we’ll explain the differences between postal and commercial shipments after the de minimis suspension, compare how each system works, and help you determine which shipping method is most appropriate for your business.

The Suspension Created Two Separate Systems, Not One

When Executive Order 14324 suspended Section 321 de minimis treatment, many businesses assumed that every shipment entering the United States would simply begin paying duties in the same way.

That isn’t what happened.

Instead, the policy created two parallel customs systems. International mail entering through the postal network follows a carrier-remittance model, while shipments transported by commercial couriers or freight carriers require a customs entry filed through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). Although both systems ultimately collect applicable duties, the procedures, responsibilities, and documentation differ significantly.

Understanding this distinction helps explain why two shipments with identical products and values may experience very different customs treatment.

What Counts as a Postal Shipment?

A postal shipment is any parcel that travels through the international postal network before entering the United States Postal Service (USPS). These shipments typically originate with a foreign postal administration, such as Japan Post, Royal Mail, Canada Post, or Australia Post, before being transferred to USPS for final delivery.

Unlike commercial imports, postal shipments generally do not require a traditional customs entry prepared by the importer or a customs broker. Instead, customs duties are assessed through a separate postal duty collection process administered between the carrier and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

For many consumers, the process remains largely invisible, with any applicable duties collected through the postal delivery process where required.

What Counts as a Commercial Shipment?

Commercial shipments include goods transported by private carriers such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, freight forwarders, air cargo operators, or ocean freight providers.

Unlike postal parcels, commercial shipments enter the United States through CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). Every shipment must be classified using the appropriate 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) code, and the importer, or their licensed customs broker, must submit the required customs documentation.

Depending on the shipment value, product type, and regulatory requirements, the shipment may qualify for an informal entry or require a formal customs entry. This makes commercial imports significantly more documentation-intensive but also provides greater transparency and control over customs compliance.

How Postal Shipments Are Handled Now

The de minimis suspension did not eliminate postal imports, but it fundamentally changed how duties are collected on international mail.

Rather than requiring each recipient to prepare a customs entry, CBP established a carrier-remittance system that allows postal operators or approved qualified parties to collect and remit duties on behalf of importers. This process is distinct from the ACE entry system used for commercial imports and continues to evolve as CBP refines its implementation.

The Carrier or Qualified Party Pays the Duty, Not You

One of the defining features of the postal system is that the transportation carrier, or another CBP-approved qualified party, handles the duty remittance process.

This does not necessarily mean the duty is free or absorbed by the carrier. Instead, the carrier typically collects the applicable amount from the recipient or seller, depending on the shipping arrangement, before remitting it to CBP through a consolidated monthly reporting system.

Because of this structure:

• Importers do not prepare a separate customs entry for each postal parcel. 
• Postal operators submit consolidated duty information to CBP. 
• Additional handling charges may apply depending on the postal operator. 
• Duty collection procedures can vary slightly depending on the country of origin and postal administration. 

For consumers receiving occasional international packages, this process often feels simpler than the commercial entry system. For businesses importing inventory regularly, however, the lack of visibility into customs processing can become a disadvantage.

Ad Valorem vs. the Flat-Fee Duty Method

Following the de minimis suspension, postal shipments introduced two methods for calculating duties.

The ad valorem method applies a percentage-based duty calculated against the declared customs value of the shipment. This approach aligns more closely with traditional customs valuation and reflects the applicable tariff rate for the imported goods.

A temporary specific duty (flat-fee) method was also introduced during the implementation period, using fixed charges based on applicable tariff categories. Under this structure, flat fees of $80, $160, or $200 per item applied depending on the relevant tariff band.

However, the flat-fee option ended on February 28, 2026, leaving the ad valorem method as the primary duty calculation mechanism for postal shipments moving forward.

Because tariff rates differ by product classification and country of origin, importers should not assume that postal shipments avoid the same trade measures that apply to commercial imports.

Why So Many Foreign Postal Services Stopped Shipping to the U.S.

After the de minimis suspension took effect, several foreign postal operators temporarily suspended or restricted shipments destined for the United States.

The primary reason was operational rather than political.

Postal administrations needed time to update their systems so they could calculate duties, exchange electronic shipment data, and comply with the new carrier-remittance requirements. Without those capabilities, they could not process shipments in accordance with CBP’s revised framework.

Although many postal services have since resumed operations, businesses should continue monitoring carrier announcements, as international postal procedures remain subject to ongoing regulatory updates.

How Commercial Shipments Are Handled Now

Commercial imports follow a completely different customs pathway.

Rather than relying on a carrier-remittance model, commercial shipments require customs entries filed electronically through ACE. This process provides CBP with detailed shipment information before goods are released, allowing duties, taxes, and regulatory requirements to be assessed at the shipment level.

While the process involves more documentation than postal imports, it also offers importers greater certainty regarding compliance, classification, and landed costs.

Every Commercial Parcel Needs an ACE Entry

Every commercial shipment entering the United States must be processed through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).

ACE serves as CBP’s electronic trade processing system and records critical shipment information, including:

• Importer of Record details. 
• Product descriptions. 
• Country of origin. 
• 10-digit HTSUS classifications. 
• Customs value. 
• Applicable duties and tariffs. 
• Partner Government Agency requirements, where applicable. 

Unlike postal shipments, which rely on consolidated carrier reporting, commercial entries are prepared individually for each shipment. This allows CBP to review the goods before release and ensures importers remain responsible for the accuracy of customs declarations.

For businesses shipping inventory on a regular basis, ACE also provides a structured framework for maintaining long-term import compliance.

Formal vs. Informal Entry and Who Files It

Commercial shipments generally enter the United States under either an informal entry or a formal entry, depending on shipment value and regulatory requirements.

Informal entries are commonly used for lower-value commercial shipments that do not require formal customs processing. Formal entries are required for higher-value shipments and products regulated by federal agencies, and they typically involve additional documentation, customs bonds, and government fees.

Most importers choose to work with a licensed customs broker to prepare and submit these entries through ACE. A broker can:

• Determine the correct entry type. 
• Classify products using the appropriate HTSUS code. 
• Calculate duties, tariffs, and government fees. 
• Submit customs documentation electronically. 
• Communicate with CBP on the importer’s behalf. 
• Help resolve examinations or documentation requests. 

Although importers may file entries themselves, professional customs brokerage becomes increasingly valuable as shipment frequency, product complexity, and regulatory obligations grow.

Which Channel Should You Use to Ship into the US?

Choosing between postal and commercial shipping is no longer just a question of delivery speed or freight cost. After the suspension of Section 321 de minimis treatment, your shipping channel directly affects customs clearance, duty collection, documentation requirements, and the overall landed cost of your goods.

For businesses importing regularly, the decision should be based on long-term operational efficiency rather than short-term shipping costs. Understanding when each channel makes sense can help you avoid delays, reduce unexpected expenses, and build a more resilient import strategy.

When Postal Still Makes Sense

Postal shipping continues to serve an important role, particularly for individuals and businesses that import infrequently. If you’re ordering personal goods or sending occasional low-volume shipments, the postal system remains a practical option because customs duties are handled through the carrier-remittance model rather than a traditional ACE customs entry.

Postal shipments may still be the better choice if you:

• Import occasionally rather than on a recurring basis. 
• Ship personal purchases instead of commercial inventory. 
• Prefer a simplified customs process with minimal paperwork. 
• Don’t require detailed customs reporting or entry documentation. 
• Are comfortable with longer transit times and less shipment visibility. 

That said, postal shipments are no longer the duty-free alternative they once were. Applicable duties still apply, and postal operators must comply with CBP’s updated collection requirements. Businesses that rely on consistent inventory replenishment or predictable customs processing will often find the limitations of postal shipping outweigh its convenience.

For most Shopify merchants, Amazon sellers, wholesalers, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, commercial carriers have become the preferred option following the de minimis suspension.

Although commercial shipments require customs entries through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), they provide businesses with far greater visibility and control over the import process. Importers know exactly which tariff classifications apply, what duties are owed, and how shipments are progressing through customs.

Commercial shipping also supports business growth by making it easier to:

• Consolidate multiple shipments into a single customs entry. 
• Work with a licensed customs broker. 
• Improve landed cost forecasting. 
• Resolve customs issues quickly. 
• Meet regulatory requirements for controlled products. 

As import volumes increase, the predictability of commercial customs clearance often outweighs the additional documentation required. Many businesses that previously relied on individual direct-to-consumer parcels are now transitioning toward consolidated imports followed by domestic fulfillment within the United States.

What’s Changing Next: The New Postal Entry Process

The changes introduced after the suspension of Section 321 are not the final stage of customs modernization. CBP continues to refine how international postal shipments are processed, with increasing emphasis on electronic data exchange, shipment transparency, and more accurate duty collection.

Future postal processing will rely even more heavily on advanced electronic shipment information submitted before parcels arrive in the United States. Postal administrations around the world are updating their systems to provide CBP with better product descriptions, country-of-origin information, and shipment values before goods reach the border.

For importers, this means customs authorities will have greater visibility into incoming postal shipments than ever before.

The long-term objective is to create a system that processes postal imports more efficiently while reducing opportunities for undervaluation, inaccurate declarations, and customs fraud. Businesses should expect postal shipments to become increasingly data-driven, with documentation standards moving closer to those already used for commercial imports.

As these systems continue evolving, importers should monitor CBP guidance and carrier announcements to stay informed about new compliance requirements.

Shipments That Are Exempt or Treated Differently

Although the suspension of de minimis treatment significantly changed customs processing for most imported goods, not every shipment is handled in the same way.

Certain categories continue to receive different treatment under U.S. customs regulations because of their nature, purpose, or existing legal exemptions.

Examples include:

• Letters and ordinary correspondence. 
• Certain government or diplomatic shipments. 
• Military and official government imports. 
• Goods qualifying under specific statutory exemptions. 
• Humanitarian relief shipments under applicable regulations. 

In addition, imports originating from countries that qualify for preferential treatment under free trade agreements, such as USMCA, may still receive reduced or duty-free treatment when all applicable rules of origin and documentation requirements are satisfied.

It’s important to understand that preferential tariff treatment under a free trade agreement is not the same as de minimis treatment. Even if a shipment qualifies for reduced duty under USMCA or another trade agreement, it must still satisfy all applicable customs entry requirements following the suspension of Section 321.

Because exemptions vary depending on the product, origin, and purpose of the shipment, importers should verify eligibility before shipping rather than assuming reduced duties will automatically apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are postal shipments exempt from the de minimis suspension?

No. Postal shipments are no longer automatically exempt from duties under the former Section 321 rules. Instead, they follow a separate carrier-remittance process that allows postal operators or approved qualified parties to collect and remit applicable duties to CBP. While the customs procedure differs from commercial imports, postal shipments are still subject to the updated import requirements.

Do I have to pay duty on a package from China sent by mail?

In many cases, yes. Goods shipped through the international postal network from China are generally subject to applicable customs duties after the de minimis suspension. The amount depends on the product classification, declared value, country of origin, and any applicable tariff measures. The postal operator or carrier typically collects the duty before or during delivery.

Is it cheaper to ship by post or by courier now?

Not necessarily. Postal shipping may involve fewer administrative requirements, but commercial courier shipments often provide faster transit, better tracking, and greater customs transparency. For businesses importing inventory regularly, commercial shipping frequently results in lower overall landed costs because shipments can be consolidated and managed more efficiently.

Who pays the duty on an international mail package?

Under the carrier-remittance system, the postal operator or another qualified party remits duties to CBP. However, the cost is generally passed on to either the sender or the recipient, depending on the shipping arrangement and the carrier’s billing procedures.

Can I claim USMCA preference on a postal shipment?

Yes, if the goods meet all applicable USMCA rules of origin and supporting documentation requirements. Qualifying under USMCA can reduce or eliminate duty on eligible products, but it does not remove the need to comply with current customs procedures. Importers should ensure they have the proper certification before claiming preferential treatment.

Are letters and documents subject to the new duties?

Generally, no. Ordinary letters, documents, and correspondence are treated differently from merchandise imports. The de minimis suspension primarily affects imported goods rather than standard mail or non-commercial documents. However, any package containing merchandise is subject to the applicable customs rules.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or customs advice. Customs regulations, carrier procedures, tariff rates, and government policies can change over time. Always verify current requirements with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or consult a licensed U.S. customs broker before importing goods.