What you need to do to ship postal to the U.S.
ZimPost has worked with Zonos to offer the Zonos app as a fast, easy way for casual shippers to continue shipping to the U.S. while meeting the new requirements.
Use the Zonos app for the retail counter
- Anytime you ship something valued at $2,500 USD or less to the U.S. via ZimPost, use the Zonos 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.
Step-by-step
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
Additional information is available in our Zonos app user guide.
Is the Zonos app available for ZimPost?
Yes. The Zonos app is available for shipments sent via ZimPost.
Do I need to use the Zonos app for letters and documents?
No, letters and documents are not subject to duties and therefore do not require you to use the Zonos app. Use the app for standard shipments, gifts, and returns valued at $2,500 USD or less. Shipments valued over $2,500 USD to the U.S. do not require duties to be prepaid via the app.
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 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 my item's MFN rate is 0%?
Duties can include MFN (standard duty) rates, Section 301 tariffs, and other product-specific tariffs like Section 232. Before July 24, 2026, postal shipments were subject only to the Section 122 surcharge. As of July 24, 2026, normal duties (MFN, Section 232, Section 301, etc.) apply to postal shipments for the first time—they've already applied to commercial shipments. The Section 122 surcharge itself expired for all postal shipments regardless of origin, but 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 it. See our U.S. tariff changes tracker for the full breakdown.
The duty on my shipment is 0. Is this right? Do I still need to use the Zonos app?
Yes, some items are duty-free. The Zonos 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 Zonos 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 the Zonos app, 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, Section 301, Section 232, and/or Section 122 duty rates?
Before July 24, 2026, U.S.-bound postal shipments were only subject to Section 122 tariff rates—they had a temporary advantage where other normal duties (MFN, Section 301, Section 232, etc.) did not apply. As of July 24, 2026, that advantage is gone, and Section 122 tariffs have expired. Postal shipments are now subject to normal duties (MFN, Section 301, Section 232, etc.), for the first time. In addition, a new Section 301 forced-labor tariff (10% or 12.5% by country of origin; some origins are capped net of the MFN rate—see the U.S. tariff tracker) now applies to postal shipments as of July 24, 2026, with a clean cutover from the expired Section 122 tariff rate to the new Section 301 rate.
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 app right at the post office to get one, then drop off your package.
Do I need a licensed customs broker to ship via ZimPost?
Not on your own. As of July 24, 2026, U.S.-bound postal shipments valued at $2,500 USD or less must be entered by the owner or purchaser of the goods, or by a licensed U.S. customs broker acting on their behalf—postal shipments previously cleared through an interim qualified-party process that didn't require a broker. Zonos has acquired Evolve Trade Services, a licensed U.S. customs brokerage, so these entries are filed on your behalf when you use the Zonos app.
Will I have to still pay when I ship my package?
Yes, postage will still need to be paid to ship out your package. The app only covers the prepayment of duties for your shipment.
Keep shipping to the U.S. with ZimPost + Zonos
As of August 29, 2025, a U.S. executive order requires duties to be paid on postal shipments before they clear into the U.S. As of July 24, 2026, the duty prepayment requirement applies to shipments valued at $2,500 USD or less (up from $800 USD). If you're shipping parcels from Zimbabwe to the United States using ZimPost, you must prepay duties before your parcel crosses the border. ZimPost has partnered with Zonos to offer the Zonos app as a way to pay U.S. duties on postal shipments.
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