New CBP postal entry process replaces de minimis for low-value mail imports

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection interim final rule of June 24 indefinitely suspended the $800 de minimis exemption for goods arriving through the international postal network, and a new postal informal entry process took effect July 24. Most mailed merchandise had already lost de minimis eligibility under Executive Order 14324, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act ends the exemption by law on July 1, 2027.

Eligible mail shipments valued at $2,500 or less generally go through the new process, with filers emailing CBP an Excel or CSV file that lists the bond number, description, country of origin, HTSUS classification, value, duty owed and tracking number. Payment runs through Pay.gov and is due by the seventh day of the month after the package arrives.

CBP opened a voluntary test of Entry Type 13 for informal mail on September 22, and from October 22 certain goods, such as those claiming Chapter 98 or free trade agreement treatment, must use another entry route. Forvis Mazars advises e-commerce businesses that ship low-value mail to review classification data, broker authorization, bond coverage and payment processes.