On October 14, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the extension of the compliance date for new informal entry procedures for international mail from October 22, 2026, to January 20, 2027. In a press release, CBP states that the 90-day extension “provides importers, brokers, and logistics providers additional time to update their processes while helping avoid disruptions to certain international postal shipments destined for the United States.”
In June 2026, CBP issued an Interim Final Rule implementing an indefinite suspension of the de minimis duty-free exemption for imports valued at $800 or less arriving through the international postal network. This interim rule established a new postal informal entry process for certain merchandise valued at $2,500 or less entering the United States through international mail. For additional background, see SmarTrade Update of June 25, 2026. Upon implementation of these informal entry procedures, all international postal shipments that are subject to Section 201, 232, or 301 duties or are the jurisdiction of a Partner Government Agency will be required to be filed electronically in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) through the new Entry Type 13 process for purposes of informal entry (otherwise, formal entry is required).
CBP states that it will continue providing guidance, resources, and direct support to help the trade community prepare for and comply with the new international mail entry requirements. Additional information is available on CBP’s e-Commerce page.