The end of duty-free parcels to the United States

Rules checked on 4 November 2026. This is general information, not legal or customs advice. Confirm anything important with your carrier or the customs authority.

For years, most parcels worth $800 or less could enter the United States without duty. That is no longer the case, whichever country they come from and whether they travel by post or by courier.

How the rules changed

29 August 2025

The US suspended duty-free “de minimis” treatment for all countries.

25 August to 15 October 2025: India Post pause

India Post began suspending bookings to the US from 25 August, and later suspended all mail. It resumed on 15 October 2025 with a Delivery Duty Paid system.

20 February 2026

A further US order continued the suspension.

24 June and 24 July 2026

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) wrote the suspension into its regulations. The rule for courier and freight shipments took effect on 24 June, and the rule for mail on 24 July.

1 July 2027

US legislation ends the exemption on this date, so the change isn’t expected to reverse by itself.

What this means for you

A low value no longer means no duty. A small gift or an online order can still have a charge attached, and someone has to pay it before the parcel is released.

Sending by post

Postal operators generally work with a “qualified party”, which reports each shipment’s value to CBP and pays the duty. India says its Delivery Duty Paid arrangement lets US addressees receive parcels without paying any more duty on delivery. Ask at the counter what you’ll be charged and which items can be accepted.

Sending by courier

Couriers file the customs entry for each shipment. Ask whether duty is prepaid or billed to the recipient, and what the courier charges for handling it.

How to avoid a held parcel

• Describe each item specifically. “Cotton shirt” helps customs; “gift” or “goods” doesn’t.
• Declare the true value and keep your invoice or receipt.
• Have the country of origin and any product code ready, in case the carrier asks for them.
• Agree who pays before you send, especially for gifts and business orders.

More changes may follow

On 8 October 2026, CBP published a proposal for a new electronic entry type for mail and new requirements for low-value shipments. It’s a proposal rather than a final rule. Duty rates have also changed several times, so we don’t quote one here. Use the figure your carrier gives you on the day.

Once your parcel is on its way, you can follow it on our tracking page. If it goes quiet, read when to wait and when to act.