How Postal and Non-Postal Shipments Are Treated After Executive Order 14324 Ends De Minimis

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As explained in our recent article on the suspension of de minimis treatment, Executive Order 14324, signed on July 30, 2025, changes how all shipments enter the United States. One important area of concern is the difference between postal and non-postal shipments.

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) FAQ, non-postal shipments must be filed using an appropriate entry type in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) by a party qualified to make entry, and they are subject to all applicable duties, taxes, and fees.

Postal shipments, on the other hand, are treated differently. They are subject to tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which can be assessed in one of two ways. The first method is an ad valorem duty, which applies the effective IEEPA tariff for the country of origin to the value of the product. The second method is a specific duty, which is a flat amount ranging from $80 to $200 per item, depending on the effective IEEPA tariff rate for the country of origin. For postal shipments, CBP does not prepare a formal entry, and the duties owed are remitted by the carrier or another qualified party on a monthly basis.

Executive Order 14324 ends the longstanding practice of allowing low-value shipments to enter duty free under the de minimis rule. This means that businesses, carriers, and consumers can no longer rely on small shipments entering the United States without duties. Carriers and qualified parties are now responsible for reporting, collecting, and remitting duties on all shipments.

These changes are expected to affect international trade and e-commerce. Importers, sellers, and consumers who relied on duty-free entry for small packages should anticipate higher costs and additional administrative steps. Foreign sellers shipping directly to U.S. customers and U.S. logistics providers need to update their processes to ensure compliance. For more details on the broader impact of these changes, see our full article on the suspension of de minimis treatment.

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