Understanding how tariffs are calculated and applied to postal shipments to the United States.
July 24, 2026 update
As of July 24, 2026, postal and commercial duty rates have converged. The Section 122 surcharge (flat
10%) expired July 24 for all postal shipments, regardless of origin. Normal duties (MFN, Section 232,
Section 301, etc.) now apply to postal shipments for the first time — they've already applied to
commercial shipments. For most countries (the 60 economies covered by the new
Section 301 forced-labor tariff, 10% or 12.5% by country of origin), that tariff has effectively
replaced Section 122. The postal DDP threshold has risen from $800 to $2,500. See
U.S. tariff updates for full details.
February 24, 2026 update — historical
IEEPA-based tariffs ended at 12:00 a.m. EST on February 24, 2026. Postal shipment duties were reset
to the 10% Section 122 global surcharge through July 23, 2026. That surcharge expired July 24 —
see the banner above.
As of July 24, 2026, postal shipments to the United States are subject to the same duty structure
as commercial shipments:
MFN (Most Favored Nation) rates: Standard duty rates based on each item's HTS classification
and country of origin — applying to postal shipments for the first time
Section 301 forced-labor tariff: 10% or 12.5% depending on country of origin, replacing the expired
Section 122 surcharge. Zonos
uses the exact tariff line-item name "Section 301 Forced Labor Tariff" in
calculations.
Section 232 tariffs: Apply to postal shipments the same as commercial (steel, aluminum, copper,
auto parts, and other Section 232-covered products) — see section below
Other applicable tariffs: Antidumping, countervailing duties, and other trade remedies based
on the item's HTS code
Context: Standard MFN rates and Section 232 have applied to commercial shipments since August 2025. Postal had a temporary exemption that ended July 24 — for MFN and Section 232, postal is
catching up to commercial. The Section 301 forced-labor tariff
is new for both postal and commercial.
As of July 24, 2026, Section 232 tariffs apply to postal shipments the same as commercial shipments.
There is no longer a separate postal treatment for Section 232-covered products (steel, aluminum,
copper, auto parts, and other covered categories).
Before July 24, postal shipments of Section 232-covered products were subject only to the 10% Section
122 surcharge (which expired for all postal shipments on July 24). As of July 24, Section 232 rates
stack on top of MFN rates, just as they do for commercial shipments. Goods already subject to Section
232 tariffs are exempt from the Section 301 forced-labor tariff.
When a package contains multiple items from different countries, Zonos uses individual item
calculation — each item is assessed based on its own HTS code and country of origin, then totaled
for the shipment.
Returns and repairs do NOT receive any special tariff treatment under the postal duty system.
Rules
Repairs and used goods: Not eligible for duty-free treatment; standard duty rates (MFN plus
applicable tariffs based on country of origin and HTS code) apply.
What replaced Section 122 for postal shipments on July 24?
The Section 122 flat 10% surcharge expired July 24, 2026 for all postal shipments, regardless of
origin. As of July 24, normal duties (MFN, Section 232, Section 301, etc.) apply to postal
shipments for the first time — they've already applied to commercial shipments. For most countries
(the 60 economies covered by the new Section 301 forced-labor tariff, 10% or 12.5% depending on
country of origin), that tariff has effectively replaced Section 122.
Can I use the postal DDP process for packages over $800?
Yes, as of July 24, 2026. The postal DDP threshold has risen from $800 to $2,500. Packages valued
under $2,500 USD can be processed through the postal DDP system with duties collected at origin.
Entry requirements for packages above $2,500 are unchanged — see the Value thresholds section
above.
What happened to fentanyl-related IEEPA tariffs for postal?
Fentanyl-related IEEPA tariffs (which previously added 10–20% for China) ended February 24, 2026
along with all other IEEPA-based tariffs. They were replaced by the Section 122 flat 10% surcharge
through July 23, 2026.
Do Section 301 tariffs apply to postal shipments as of July 24?
As of July 24, 2026, Section 301 tariffs apply to postal shipments. Before July
24, postal shipments were subject only to the Section 122 surcharge and Section 301 did not apply to
postal clearance. The Section 301 forced-labor tariff rate is 10% or 12.5% depending on country of origin.
Can I change calculation methods?
Zonos uses individual item calculation for all postal shipments. This method:
Calculates each item based on its own country of origin and HTS code
Ensures accurate CBP reporting and duty remittance
Eliminates the need for complex methodology switching
What happens if CBP determines different duties should have been applied?
If CBP determines that different duties should have been applied:
Higher assessment: You'll be invoiced for the difference
Lower assessment: You'll receive a credit on your next invoice
Common causes: Incorrect country of origin, product classification errors
Protection: Some solutions offer landed cost guarantees against increases
Prevention tips:
Ensure accurate country of origin declarations
Use proper HTS code classifications
Maintain detailed product documentation
What happens if a platform or merchant uses a provider other than Zonos for duty calculation?
No problem. If duty was calculated by another provider, Zonos still collects and remits the duties
to CBP for postal shipments when Zonos is the compliance/billing party. The key is that duties flow
through Zonos for collection and remittance, ensuring compliance and uninterrupted postal clearance.
If a postal shipment contains multiple items with different countries of origin, how are duties calculated?
Duties are calculated per item using each item's country of origin and HTS code, then summed to
determine the total duty for the shipment.
How are gifts over 100 USD handled?
If a shipment is marked Gift and its value exceeds 100 USD, duties apply on the total value of the
gift.
Stay informed: Tariff rates can change with new executive orders and CBP guidance. Subscribe to
CBP trade notifications and work with qualified parties who maintain current rate schedules.
Postal Tariffs
Postal Tariffs
Understanding how tariffs are calculated and applied to postal shipments to the United States.
As of July 24, 2026, postal and commercial duty rates have converged. The Section 122 surcharge (flat 10%) expired July 24 for all postal shipments, regardless of origin. Normal duties (MFN, Section 232, Section 301, etc.) now apply to postal shipments for the first time — they've already applied to commercial shipments. For most countries (the 60 economies covered by the new Section 301 forced-labor tariff, 10% or 12.5% by country of origin), that tariff has effectively replaced Section 122. The postal DDP threshold has risen from $800 to $2,500. See U.S. tariff updates for full details.
IEEPA-based tariffs ended at 12:00 a.m. EST on February 24, 2026. Postal shipment duties were reset to the 10% Section 122 global surcharge through July 23, 2026. That surcharge expired July 24 — see the banner above.
Current postal duty structure (as of July 24, 2026)
As of July 24, 2026, postal shipments to the United States are subject to the same duty structure as commercial shipments:
Section 232 now applies to postal shipments
As of July 24, 2026, Section 232 tariffs apply to postal shipments the same as commercial shipments. There is no longer a separate postal treatment for Section 232-covered products (steel, aluminum, copper, auto parts, and other covered categories).
Before July 24, postal shipments of Section 232-covered products were subject only to the 10% Section 122 surcharge (which expired for all postal shipments on July 24). As of July 24, Section 232 rates stack on top of MFN rates, just as they do for commercial shipments. Goods already subject to Section 232 tariffs are exempt from the Section 301 forced-labor tariff.
Multi-item packages: Individual calculation
When a package contains multiple items from different countries, Zonos uses individual item calculation — each item is assessed based on its own HTS code and country of origin, then totaled for the shipment.
Value thresholds and entry requirements
Under $2,500: Postal DDP process
As of July 24, 2026, packages valued under $2,500 USD can be processed through the postal DDP system:
This threshold was $800 prior to July 24, 2026. A $1,000 shipment that did not require prepaid duties before July 24 now requires them.
Trigger is arrival date, not transaction date: A shipment quoted before July 24 but arriving on or after July 24 is subject to the new rules.
Above $2,500
Above $2,500 is status quo — the same as it has been.
Returns and repairs
Returns and repairs do NOT receive any special tariff treatment under the postal duty system.
Rules
Non-deliverables and refunds
Current state: There are no refund mechanisms in place for non-deliverables by post. Plan collections and customer communications accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
What replaced Section 122 for postal shipments on July 24?
The Section 122 flat 10% surcharge expired July 24, 2026 for all postal shipments, regardless of origin. As of July 24, normal duties (MFN, Section 232, Section 301, etc.) apply to postal shipments for the first time — they've already applied to commercial shipments. For most countries (the 60 economies covered by the new Section 301 forced-labor tariff, 10% or 12.5% depending on country of origin), that tariff has effectively replaced Section 122.
Can I use the postal DDP process for packages over $800?
Yes, as of July 24, 2026. The postal DDP threshold has risen from $800 to $2,500. Packages valued under $2,500 USD can be processed through the postal DDP system with duties collected at origin.
Entry requirements for packages above $2,500 are unchanged — see the Value thresholds section above.
What happened to fentanyl-related IEEPA tariffs for postal?
Fentanyl-related IEEPA tariffs (which previously added 10–20% for China) ended February 24, 2026 along with all other IEEPA-based tariffs. They were replaced by the Section 122 flat 10% surcharge through July 23, 2026.
Do Section 301 tariffs apply to postal shipments as of July 24?
As of July 24, 2026, Section 301 tariffs apply to postal shipments. Before July 24, postal shipments were subject only to the Section 122 surcharge and Section 301 did not apply to postal clearance. The Section 301 forced-labor tariff rate is 10% or 12.5% depending on country of origin.
Can I change calculation methods?
Zonos uses individual item calculation for all postal shipments. This method:
What happens if CBP determines different duties should have been applied?
If CBP determines that different duties should have been applied:
Prevention tips:
What happens if a platform or merchant uses a provider other than Zonos for duty calculation?
No problem. If duty was calculated by another provider, Zonos still collects and remits the duties to CBP for postal shipments when Zonos is the compliance/billing party. The key is that duties flow through Zonos for collection and remittance, ensuring compliance and uninterrupted postal clearance.
If a postal shipment contains multiple items with different countries of origin, how are duties calculated?
Duties are calculated per item using each item's country of origin and HTS code, then summed to determine the total duty for the shipment.
How are gifts over 100 USD handled?
If a shipment is marked Gift and its value exceeds 100 USD, duties apply on the total value of the gift.
Resources and updates
Postal tariff rates are subject to frequent changes based on ongoing trade policy decisions. Key resources:
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