Shipments (your shipments appear here as soon as they're created)
Manifests (consolidation groups)
Bulk CSV order upload
Item Quoter
Invoices
Settings (business information, billing, Later Pay Number, fulfillment centers, team members, label signature)
Do I have to pay a subscription fee?
No. Your Zonos Verified Account is free to use. You're billed only for duties and the postal clearance fee on each shipment, plus the taxes (VAT) on EU shipments that use Zonos' IOSS number.
The postal clearance fee is listed in your Zonos Dashboard under Settings → Billing, in the Plan section.
How do I create a Japan Post label?
Open an order from Dashboard → Orders and click Create label. To label multiple orders at once, check them on the list and click Create labels in the page header.
Yes. Upload a signature image in the Zonos Dashboard and Zonos prints it in the signature field on your Japan Post labels and on the commercial invoices that go with them — you don't need to sign each one by hand.
Go to Settings → Shipping → Labels, find the Commercial invoice and label signature card, and upload a PNG under 2 MB. The same card appears on the Dashboard home page as an optional setup step. See Account setup.
Your signature applies to labels you create in the Zonos Dashboard and through the Zonos API. Labels created through Ship&co don't use it.
Why does my label have a "Japan Postage Paid" stamp?
Labels billed to your Later Pay Number get a JAPAN POSTAGE PAID stamp printed in the header of the first page. It shows the post office that postage is billed to your Japan Post deferred-payment (後納) account, so you don't need to stamp or mark the label yourself.
The stamp's shape and position depend on the service:
Service↕
Stamp↕
EMS, International Parcel
Round, top-left
ePacket Lite, Printed Matter (registered), Letter (registered)
Rectangular, top-left
Small Packet, Printed Matter, Letter
Round, top-right
The rest of the label, including the barcode, customs form, and DDP marking, is unchanged.
The stamp applies to labels you create in the Zonos Dashboard and through the Zonos API.
Can I insure my Japan Post shipments?
Insurance is available on the service levels that support it, and you set it in the Create label dialog:
EMS – Includes free indemnity up to ¥20,000. To insure beyond that, enter the full contents value, up to ¥2,000,000 (or the shipment's item total, whichever is lower).
Parcel – Turn on Insure this shipment and enter an insured value, up to ¥688,363 (or the shipment's item total, whichever is lower).
Other service levels (letters, printed matter, small packet, ePacket) don't offer insurance.
When creating labels in bulk, insurance is all-or-nothing — check Insure each shipment for its full item value to insure the whole batch, or create a label from the individual order to set a custom amount.
How do I void a label?
On the fulfilled shipment row, open the three-dot menu and click Void label. Voiding removes the shipment from its consolidation group automatically.
Void before handing the parcel to Japan Post. Once the manifest is closed, the label is final.
What is a manifest, and do I need one?
A manifest is the Japan Post Code 61 dispatch slip you hand over with your parcels. You add shipments to a consolidation group when creating labels, then close the group to produce the manifest.
A shipment is on page 1 of my manifest but missing from the later pages. Is that a problem?
No. That is expected Japan Post behavior, and the shipment is fine.
Page 1 of the manifest is the deferred-payment dispatch slip (後納差出票), and it lists every shipment in the group whatever service level it used. Pages 2 and onward are the customer/post-office receipts, and Japan Post generates those for EMS and International Parcel shipments only, because they are keyed to a tracking number.
Small Packet (小形包装物) is not a tracked Japan Post service, so it appears on page 1 and gets no receipt page. A group of five parcels can produce a page 1 listing all five and receipt pages for only the EMS and Parcel ones. A group containing nothing but Small Packets produces page 1 and no further pages at all.
You do not need to create a separate group or manifest for each shipping method. One group can hold a mix of service levels.
What format should my fulfillment center prefecture be in?
Enter the prefecture in Romaji using the standard English form: Tokyo, Osaka, Kumamoto, Hokkaido, and so on. A blank or invalid prefecture will block label creation.
I see "missing address line 1" when creating a label. What do I do?
Every fulfillment center used on a Japan Post label needs a complete address: line 1, city, prefecture, postal code, and phone number. Open the fulfillment center from Settings → Shipping → Locations, fill in any missing fields, and save.
I see a prefecture error when creating a label. What do I do?
The prefecture on the fulfillment center is either blank or not a valid Japanese prefecture name. Open the fulfillment center from Settings → Shipping → Locations and enter the prefecture in Romaji (e.g. Tokyo).
When will I see my shipment in Dashboard?
Orders you create in the Dashboard appear on the Orders page immediately. Orders imported from Japan Post (for example, processed outside of Zonos) appear once Japan Post sends order data to Zonos — this can take a few days.
Labels you create in the Dashboard (single or bulk) appear on the Shipments page as soon as they're created. Labels created through the Zonos API appear on the Shipments page once Japan Post's dispatch (PREDES) data reaches Zonos, rather than at label creation.
Which destinations can I ship to with my Verified Account?
Starting October 1, 2026 (JST), you can ship duty-prepaid to:
United States
Select EU destinations: Denmark, France (including Monaco), Andorra, French overseas departments (Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique), Sweden, Spain, Netherlands, Slovakia, Italy, Finland, Luxembourg, Estonia, and Malta
No. IOSS only applies to EU shipments with goods valued at €150 or less. Above €150, whether a shipment can be sent duty-prepaid (DDP) depends on the destination country, and some countries also set a maximum goods value. See EU country readiness for each destination's rules.
If you have your own IOSS number, or you ship through a marketplace that has one, Zonos supports third-party (non-Zonos) IOSS numbers. Save it in Dashboard and Zonos uses it on EU labels you create in Dashboard or through the Zonos API. If you print labels in Ship&co, add it in Ship&co.
An IOSS number isn't required. Any EU shipment valued at €150 or less without a third-party IOSS number uses Zonos' IOSS number. If you use your own IOSS number, Zonos won't charge you the VAT, since you (or your marketplace) will be remitting it. If Zonos' IOSS number is used, Zonos charges you the VAT and remits it to the EU country.
If you have your own IOSS number but don't save or pass it, the shipment defaults to Zonos' IOSS number. Zonos charges you the VAT and remits it, and you (or your marketplace) will also remit VAT for that shipment, so you end up paying it twice. That's why, if you have your own IOSS number, you should always save or pass it.
Can I use my Verified Account on U.S. shipments over $2,500 USD?
No. The U.S. duty prepayment requirement applies to postal shipments valued under $2,500 USD, so use your Verified Account for U.S.-bound postal shipments under that value. U.S.-bound shipments over $2,500 USD follow standard customs entry procedures.
If a postal shipment contains multiple items with different countries of origin, how are duties calculated?
Duties are calculated per item based on country of origin and aggregated for the shipment total. The total appears on your Zonos invoice once postal shipment data is received.
How are U.S.-bound gifts over 100 USD handled?
Gifts shipped to the U.S. valued over 100 USD are dutiable. Zonos calculates duties on the total gift value and bills your Verified Account accordingly.
Do gifts and documents go through Zonos?
Gifts do, starting October 15, 2026. U.S.-bound gifts valued under $100 USD are not charged duty, but create their labels through Zonos the same way you create your other U.S.-bound Japan Post labels. Documents of no commercial value are not impacted by the requirement.
What is a bona fide gift?
CBP defines a bona fide gift as an item previously owned by a donor and given outright without compensation. Items acquired by purchase, barter, or as bonus items are not considered bona fide gifts.
Individual to individual: The parcel should be clearly marked as a gift. CBP generally recognizes gifts not exceeding USD$100 in value.
Business to individual: CBP generally does not recognize these as bona fide gifts. However, if it is a true gift, the parcel should be marked as such and include a statement.
To send a bona fide gift, select the Gift category on the customs declaration.
Why did Japan Post partner with Zonos?
Japan Post partnered with Zonos so its customers can keep shipping to destinations that now require duties to be prepaid on postal shipments. That started with the U.S., and starting October 1, 2026 (JST), it includes select EU destinations.
What will I be charged by Japan Post and Zonos?
There are no additional Japan Post fees from Zonos.
Business customers with a Zonos Verified Account are invoiced directly by Zonos for:
Duties (based on country of origin)
Postal clearance fee (varies by post and can be viewed in Dashboard under Settings → Billing, under Plan)
Taxes (VAT) on EU shipments that use Zonos' IOSS number
You're charged after your parcels are inducted into the postal stream, not when labels are created. There are no subscription or hidden charges.
Does the Zonos clearance fee apply per item in a parcel?
No. The postal clearance fee is applied per parcel, not per individual item.
Who should I contact for help with my Zonos Verified Account or billing?
According to CBP, U.S. returns are not duty-free and require duties to be paid.
Exceptions where returns are exempt from duty:
Undeliverable items with the original U.S. S-10 barcode and the package intact
Refused items with the original U.S. S-10 barcode and the package intact
What if I use a 3PL? Who should set up the Verified Account?
If your 3PL allows you to bring your own Japan Post account (BYOA), you should set up a Verified Account with Zonos for your Japan Post Later Pay Number.
If your 3PL allows you to use their Japan Post account, the 3PL needs to add your Later Pay Number to their Zonos Verified Account.
3PLs should not ask merchants to create a Verified Account with the 3PL's Later Pay Number.
How do I archive or deactivate my organization?
In your Zonos Dashboard, go to Settings → General. Scroll to the Danger Zone section. Choose Archive organization to make your dashboard read-only, or Deactivate organization to remove access for all users. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm.
What happens if my product description isn't clear?
If your product description doesn't align with the HS code, customs authorities may reclassify your shipment based on what they think it is. This can cause duty and tax adjustments, clearance delays, or even returns to sender.
Use a straightforward, accurate description (for example, "leather men's wallet" instead of "premium accessory") to ensure your HS code stays correct.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
As a Verified Account, what do I have access to?
As a Verified Account, you have access to:
Do I have to pay a subscription fee?
No. Your Zonos Verified Account is free to use. You're billed only for duties and the postal clearance fee on each shipment, plus the taxes (VAT) on EU shipments that use Zonos' IOSS number.
The postal clearance fee is listed in your Zonos Dashboard under Settings → Billing, in the Plan section.
How do I create a Japan Post label?
Open an order from Dashboard → Orders and click Create label. To label multiple orders at once, check them on the list and click Create labels in the page header.
See Creating shipping labels for the full flow.
Can I put my signature on my Japan Post labels?
Yes. Upload a signature image in the Zonos Dashboard and Zonos prints it in the signature field on your Japan Post labels and on the commercial invoices that go with them — you don't need to sign each one by hand.
Go to Settings → Shipping → Labels, find the Commercial invoice and label signature card, and upload a PNG under 2 MB. The same card appears on the Dashboard home page as an optional setup step. See Account setup.
Your signature applies to labels you create in the Zonos Dashboard and through the Zonos API. Labels created through Ship&co don't use it.
Why does my label have a "Japan Postage Paid" stamp?
Labels billed to your Later Pay Number get a JAPAN POSTAGE PAID stamp printed in the header of the first page. It shows the post office that postage is billed to your Japan Post deferred-payment (後納) account, so you don't need to stamp or mark the label yourself.
The stamp's shape and position depend on the service:
The rest of the label, including the barcode, customs form, and DDP marking, is unchanged.
The stamp applies to labels you create in the Zonos Dashboard and through the Zonos API.
Can I insure my Japan Post shipments?
Insurance is available on the service levels that support it, and you set it in the Create label dialog:
When creating labels in bulk, insurance is all-or-nothing — check Insure each shipment for its full item value to insure the whole batch, or create a label from the individual order to set a custom amount.
How do I void a label?
On the fulfilled shipment row, open the three-dot menu and click Void label. Voiding removes the shipment from its consolidation group automatically.
Void before handing the parcel to Japan Post. Once the manifest is closed, the label is final.
What is a manifest, and do I need one?
A manifest is the Japan Post Code 61 dispatch slip you hand over with your parcels. You add shipments to a consolidation group when creating labels, then close the group to produce the manifest.
See Closing and printing manifests for details.
A shipment is on page 1 of my manifest but missing from the later pages. Is that a problem?
No. That is expected Japan Post behavior, and the shipment is fine.
Page 1 of the manifest is the deferred-payment dispatch slip (後納差出票), and it lists every shipment in the group whatever service level it used. Pages 2 and onward are the customer/post-office receipts, and Japan Post generates those for EMS and International Parcel shipments only, because they are keyed to a tracking number.
Small Packet (小形包装物) is not a tracked Japan Post service, so it appears on page 1 and gets no receipt page. A group of five parcels can produce a page 1 listing all five and receipt pages for only the EMS and Parcel ones. A group containing nothing but Small Packets produces page 1 and no further pages at all.
You do not need to create a separate group or manifest for each shipping method. One group can hold a mix of service levels.
What format should my fulfillment center prefecture be in?
Enter the prefecture in Romaji using the standard English form:
Tokyo,Osaka,Kumamoto,Hokkaido, and so on. A blank or invalid prefecture will block label creation.I see "missing address line 1" when creating a label. What do I do?
Every fulfillment center used on a Japan Post label needs a complete address: line 1, city, prefecture, postal code, and phone number. Open the fulfillment center from Settings → Shipping → Locations, fill in any missing fields, and save.
I see a prefecture error when creating a label. What do I do?
The prefecture on the fulfillment center is either blank or not a valid Japanese prefecture name. Open the fulfillment center from Settings → Shipping → Locations and enter the prefecture in Romaji (e.g.
Tokyo).When will I see my shipment in Dashboard?
Orders you create in the Dashboard appear on the Orders page immediately. Orders imported from Japan Post (for example, processed outside of Zonos) appear once Japan Post sends order data to Zonos — this can take a few days.
Labels you create in the Dashboard (single or bulk) appear on the Shipments page as soon as they're created. Labels created through the Zonos API appear on the Shipments page once Japan Post's dispatch (PREDES) data reaches Zonos, rather than at label creation.
Which destinations can I ship to with my Verified Account?
Starting October 1, 2026 (JST), you can ship duty-prepaid to:
See What you can do with your Verified Account for details.
Do I need an IOSS number to ship to the EU?
No. IOSS only applies to EU shipments with goods valued at €150 or less. Above €150, whether a shipment can be sent duty-prepaid (DDP) depends on the destination country, and some countries also set a maximum goods value. See EU country readiness for each destination's rules.
If you have your own IOSS number, or you ship through a marketplace that has one, Zonos supports third-party (non-Zonos) IOSS numbers. Save it in Dashboard and Zonos uses it on EU labels you create in Dashboard or through the Zonos API. If you print labels in Ship&co, add it in Ship&co.
An IOSS number isn't required. Any EU shipment valued at €150 or less without a third-party IOSS number uses Zonos' IOSS number. If you use your own IOSS number, Zonos won't charge you the VAT, since you (or your marketplace) will be remitting it. If Zonos' IOSS number is used, Zonos charges you the VAT and remits it to the EU country.
If you have your own IOSS number but don't save or pass it, the shipment defaults to Zonos' IOSS number. Zonos charges you the VAT and remits it, and you (or your marketplace) will also remit VAT for that shipment, so you end up paying it twice. That's why, if you have your own IOSS number, you should always save or pass it.
Can I use my Verified Account on U.S. shipments over $2,500 USD?
No. The U.S. duty prepayment requirement applies to postal shipments valued under $2,500 USD, so use your Verified Account for U.S.-bound postal shipments under that value. U.S.-bound shipments over $2,500 USD follow standard customs entry procedures.
If a postal shipment contains multiple items with different countries of origin, how are duties calculated?
Duties are calculated per item based on country of origin and aggregated for the shipment total. The total appears on your Zonos invoice once postal shipment data is received.
How are U.S.-bound gifts over 100 USD handled?
Gifts shipped to the U.S. valued over 100 USD are dutiable. Zonos calculates duties on the total gift value and bills your Verified Account accordingly.
Do gifts and documents go through Zonos?
Gifts do, starting October 15, 2026. U.S.-bound gifts valued under $100 USD are not charged duty, but create their labels through Zonos the same way you create your other U.S.-bound Japan Post labels. Documents of no commercial value are not impacted by the requirement.
What is a bona fide gift?
CBP defines a bona fide gift as an item previously owned by a donor and given outright without compensation. Items acquired by purchase, barter, or as bonus items are not considered bona fide gifts.
To send a bona fide gift, select the Gift category on the customs declaration.
Why did Japan Post partner with Zonos?
Japan Post partnered with Zonos so its customers can keep shipping to destinations that now require duties to be prepaid on postal shipments. That started with the U.S., and starting October 1, 2026 (JST), it includes select EU destinations.
What will I be charged by Japan Post and Zonos?
There are no additional Japan Post fees from Zonos.
Business customers with a Zonos Verified Account are invoiced directly by Zonos for:
You're charged after your parcels are inducted into the postal stream, not when labels are created. There are no subscription or hidden charges.
Does the Zonos clearance fee apply per item in a parcel?
No. The postal clearance fee is applied per parcel, not per individual item.
Who should I contact for help with my Zonos Verified Account or billing?
Contact the Zonos support team for assistance: support@zonos.com
Why are there duties on returns?
According to CBP, U.S. returns are not duty-free and require duties to be paid.
Exceptions where returns are exempt from duty:
What if I use a 3PL? Who should set up the Verified Account?
3PLs should not ask merchants to create a Verified Account with the 3PL's Later Pay Number.
How do I archive or deactivate my organization?
In your Zonos Dashboard, go to Settings → General. Scroll to the Danger Zone section. Choose Archive organization to make your dashboard read-only, or Deactivate organization to remove access for all users. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm.
What happens if my product description isn't clear?
If your product description doesn't align with the HS code, customs authorities may reclassify your shipment based on what they think it is. This can cause duty and tax adjustments, clearance delays, or even returns to sender.
Use a straightforward, accurate description (for example, "leather men's wallet" instead of "premium accessory") to ensure your HS code stays correct.
See this guide for more details.
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