From 24 July 2026, new US customs procedures will apply to goods entering the United States. If you're sending parcels to the USA, you may have seen reports about these changes and be wondering what they mean for you.
The good news is that if you book with Interparcel, there's very little you need to do differently.
Our shipping services already follow the customs processes these new rules introduce, and we're continuing to monitor developments with our courier partners to ensure shipments keep moving as smoothly as possible.
Sections in this blog:
What's changing?
The new procedures mainly affect international postal operators, bringing postal shipments more into line with the customs assessment processes already used by major express courier networks that Interparcel partner with.
US Customs will increasingly use a shipment's customs classification (HS code) to determine duties and taxes, making accurate customs information more important than ever, including:
- Accurate detailed description of the goods
- Item values
- Country of origin
- HS (Harmonised System) tariff codes
These changes are designed to improve customs data quality, helping US Customs assess duties more accurately, process shipments more efficiently and reduce delays caused by incomplete documentation.
Why Interparcel customers are already well prepared
Interparcel works with leading express courier networks including FedEx, UPS and DPD, all of which already rely on detailed electronic customs data.
When you book with Interparcel, we already collect the customs information required for US imports, including the 10-digit tariff code expected under the updated procedures as well as a detailed description of contents. These requirements have been part of our USA shipping process for some time, so for most customers, the booking experience will remain unchanged.
Behind the scenes, we're continuing to review the latest guidance with our courier partners and customs providers. If any additional requirements are introduced, we'll update our booking process accordingly, so you don't have to keep track of changing customs regulations yourself.
Looking for cost certainty? Choose our DDP services
If you'd like to know the total cost of shipping before your parcel is sent, we recommend choosing Delivered Duty Paid (DDP). With DDP:
- Duties and taxes and calculated before you book
- All charges are paid upfront (as long as DDP Guaranteed is selected)
- The price you see is the final price you pay - thats our DDP Guarantee
- Your recipient won't receive unexpected customs bills and neither will the sender
- Shipments can avoid delays caused by unpaid customs charges
To support this, Interparcel uses a specialist duty and tax calculation provider whose systems are continually updated to reflect the latest customs regulations and tariff classifications, helping ensure the charges shown during booking are as accurate as possible.
While Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) remains available, DDP offers greater certainty and a smoother delivery experience, making it a popular choice for gifts, e-commerce orders, business shipments and time-sensitive deliveries.
Making customs even easier
We're also putting the finishing touches on a new HS code lookup tool, coming soon.
Choosing the correct tariff code can be one of the more confusing parts of international shipping. Our new lookup tool will help you quickly identify the most appropriate HS code before completing your booking, making customs paperwork even easier and helping reduce the risk of delays.
We'll continue to keep you informed
Our booking system already guides you through the customs information needed for your shipment, and we'll continue working closely with our courier partners and customs providers to monitor these changes.
If further requirements are introduced, we'll update our systems accordingly, so you can continue shipping with confidence while we take care of the changing customs landscape.
Ship to the USA with confidence
International customs requirements continue to evolve, but our priority remains the same: making international shipping as simple and reliable as possible.
While these changes are significant for many postal services, they largely reflect the customs processes Interparcel and our courier partners already use every day. We'll continue monitoring developments, updating our systems whenever needed and providing the tools and support you need to send to the USA with confidence.
If you need any further help or clarification, then please do contact our Parcel Experts, who would be happy to assist you.
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