What you need to do to ship postal to the U.S.
Cyprus Post has worked with Zonos to offer the Prepay mobile app as a fast, easy way for casual shippers to continue shipping to the U.S. while meeting the new requirements. Cyprus Post is now available in the Prepay app (as of Thursday, November 6th, 2025).
Use the Zonos Prepay app for the retail counter
- Anytime you ship something under $800 USD to the U.S. via Cyprus Post, use the Zonos Prepay mobile app to pay duties upfront.
- When you drop your package off at the post office, show them the Declaration ID or QR code from your confirmation page.
- When the post delivers your item to the U.S. recipient, they will not be asked to pay duties at the time of delivery.
How much does it cost?
There are no subscription costs.
There is a postal clearance fee charged per shipment, which is clearly calculated and shown alongside the duty calculation in the app.
Watch the video tutorial
Watch how to quickly prepare your package and pay U.S. duties using the Zonos Prepay app. No subscription required.
Step-by-step
Download the app and create an account
Download the Zonos Prepay app to use when shipping to the U.S. There are no subscription costs—just pay as you go. The app will only prompt for duty payment (and include a clearance/processing fee) when you use it to ship an item to the U.S.
Enter your item info (or just snap a photo)
Snap a single photo that includes all of the items being shipped, or add multiple photos. Alternatively, add your item information manually. If you do not know the HS code, don't worry—the app will automatically classify your items and supply the HS code.
Let AI magically suggest complete customs information
Zonos' patent-pending AI tools automatically suggest required customs information, saving everyone time and streamlining processes. Shippers simply review the suggested information and make any adjustments needed.
Pay duties
The app will automatically calculate the applicable duties and postal clearance fees, and prompt for payment. Payment can be made directly in the app and is processed in the local currency. Duty payments made via the Zonos Prepay app are guaranteed—no additional duties will be charged to you or the recipient.
Show proof of payment
With duties prepaid, shippers can now ship their package to the U.S.. To show proof of payment, simply show the declaration ID to the postal clerk.
Who is Zonos?
Zonos is the trusted leader in cross-border technology.
For more than 16 years, we’ve been powering international commerce by classifying products with HS codes and calculating duties and taxes with accuracy and reliability. Today, our technology supports some of the world’s largest brands, logistics providers, and thousands of ecommerce businesses.
Our mission has always been to increase trust in cross-border trade by making cross-border simple, transparent, and compliant. From APIs that integrate directly with custom setups to checkout experiences that make duty and tax collection easy for anyone, Zonos ensures international customers have good delivery experiences, building your brand in the process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Additional information is available in our Prepay user guide.
Is the Prepay app available for Cyprus Post now?
Yes, Cyprus Post is available in the Prepay app as of Thursday, November 6th, 2025.
Do I need to use the Prepay app for letters and documents?
No, letters and documents are not subject to duties and therefore do not require you to use the Prepay mobile app. Use the app for standard shipments, gifts, and returns for shipments under $800 USD. Shipments over $800 USD to the U.S. do not require duties to be prepaid.
What if the app auto-fills incorrect item information?
When you use a photo to have the app pre-fill your item information, you will be able to review and edit the details before confirming and getting get a duty calculation.
What if my Declaration ID doesn't work?
If your Declaration ID doesn't work:
- Try it again. A re-try may be all that is needed, without taking up additional time contacting support.
- Check when you created it. Declaration IDs start in a pending state and expire if not used (linked to a tracking number) within 5 days. This way, you are not charged duties on shipments that you do not ship. If your Declaration ID has expired, you won't be charged for it. Simply use the app to get a new Declaration ID to ship your item(s).
- If it still does not work, please contact our support team at support@zonos.com.
Why was duty applied to my gift?
If your gift is valued at 100 USD or more, duties are required—even for personal gifts.
Why was duty applied when the item's MFN rate is 0%?
Duties include both MFN (what you think of as your standard duty rates) and IEEPA rates (these are many of the tariffs that have been added via executive orders—a breakdown is available in our 2025 tariff guide). According to the Executive Order where US de minimis was removed, postal services actually don't have to collect MFN rates (at least for 6 months starting August 29th, 2025), but they do have to collect IEEPA rates.
The duty on my shipment is 0. Is this right? Do I still need to use the Prepay app?
Yes, some items are duty-free. The Prepay app will calculate the duty for you, and let you know when your shipment is duty-free, giving you peace of mind. You should still complete the shipment via the Prepay app so that you receive a Declaration ID that you can use to show to the postal counter. This Declaration ID communicates to the postal counter that you have paid duties (even if they are 0), and they can accept your shipment.
What if I have multiple boxes in my shipment? Do I need to process each box individually?
When using Prepay, enter the contents for each box one box at a time. If your shipment has 3 boxes, you'll need to enter the contents for box 1, pay for its duties, and get its declaration ID before repeating the process for boxes 2 and 3.
Are postal shipments subject to MFN or IEEPA duty rates?
For the first six months (effective August 29, 2025), postal shipments are charged IEEPA duty rates only; MFN rates do not apply to postal clearance. Private carriers, by contrast, are subject to both MFN and IEEPA duties.
Why are there duties on returns?
According to CBP, U.S. returns are not duty-free and require duties to be paid.
There are a couple of exceptions where returns are exempt from duty:
- Un-deliverable items with the original U.S. S-10 Bar code and the package intact
- Refused items with the original U.S. S-10 Bar code and the package intact
What if I don’t have a Declaration ID?
Without a Declaration ID, the clerk can’t accept your U.S.-bound package. Don’t worry—you can quickly download and use the Zonos Prepay app right at the post office to get one, then drop off your package.
Keep shipping to the U.S. with Cyprus Post + Zonos
As of August 29, 2025, a new U.S. executive order now requires duties to be paid on postal shipments under $800 USD before clearing into the U.S. If you’re shipping parcels under $800 USD from Cyprus to the United States using Cyrpus Post, you must prepay duties before your parcel crosses the border. Cyprus Post has partnered with Zonos to offer Zonos Prepay as a way to pay U.S. duties on postal shipments.