Key differences: Postal vs. commercial tariffs
Postal shipments to the United States are subject to a simplified duty structure compared to commercial shipments. Unlike commercial shipments that are subject to all applicable duties (including MFN rates, Section 232, Section 301, antidumping, and countervailing duties), postal shipments are subject only to the Section 122 global surcharge. This creates a specific tariff structure that postal operators and ecommerce businesses need to understand for accurate duty collection and pricing strategies.
Postal shipments are subject to the 10% Section 122 global surcharge only (effective February 24, 2026):
- Section 122 surcharge: 10% flat rate on all postal shipments, regardless of country of origin
- Previous IEEPA-based rates (which ranged from 10–50% by country) were replaced by this uniform 10% rate effective February 24, 2026
Commercial shipments through carriers like UPS, FedEx, and DHL are subject to:
- Section 122 surcharge (same as postal)
- Section 232 tariffs (steel, aluminum, copper, auto parts)
- Most Favored Nation (MFN) rates
- Section 301 tariffs (e.g., China tariffs)
- Antidumping and countervailing duties
- All other applicable trade remedies
Example comparison: T-shirt made in China
A t-shirt manufactured in China valued at $300:
| Shipment Type↕ | Section 122↕ | Section 301↕ | MFN Rate↕ | Total Rate↕ | Total Duty↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postal | 10% | Not applied | Not applied | 10% | $30 |
| Commercial | 10% | 7.5% | 16.5% | 34% | $102 |
Current postal tariff rates by country
Based on the latest CBP guidance, the Section 122 global surcharge applies at a flat 10% rate to all postal shipments as of February 24, 2026, replacing the previous IEEPA-based country-specific rates.
Major ecommerce origin countries
| Country↕ | Section 122 Rate (as of Feb 24, 2026)↕ | Previous IEEPA Rate↕ | Notes↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| China/Hong Kong | 10% | 20% | Previous rate included fentanyl-related tariffs |
| Brazil | 10% | 50% | Significant reduction from prior IEEPA rate |
| Canada | 10% | 35% | |
| Mexico | 10% | 25% | |
| India | 10% | 18% | |
| Vietnam | 10% | 20% | |
| Thailand | 10% | 19% | |
| United Kingdom | 10% | 10% | Rate unchanged |
| Germany | 10% | 15% |
Full country list
The Section 122 surcharge applies at a flat 10% rate for all countries. The table below shows previous IEEPA rates for reference.
| ISO↕ | Country↕ | Previous IEEPA rate↕ |
|---|---|---|
| AF | Afghanistan | 15% |
| AX | Aland Islands | 10% |
| AL | Albania | 10% |
| DZ | Algeria | 30% |
| AD | Andorra | 10% |
| AO | Angola | 15% |
| AI | Anguilla | 10% |
| AQ | Antarctica | 10% |
| AG | Antigua & Barbuda | 10% |
| AR | Argentina | 10% |
| AM | Armenia | 10% |
| AW | Aruba | 10% |
| AU | Australia | 10% |
| AT | Austria | 15% |
| AZ | Azerbaijan | 10% |
| BS | Bahamas | 10% |
| BH | Bahrain | 10% |
| BD | Bangladesh | 20% |
| BB | Barbados | 10% |
| BY | Belarus | 10% |
| BE | Belgium | 15% |
| BZ | Belize | 10% |
| BJ | Benin | 10% |
| BM | Bermuda | 10% |
| BT | Bhutan | 10% |
| BO | Bolivia | 15% |
| BA | Bosnia & Herzegovina | 30% |
| BW | Botswana | 15% |
| BV | Bouvet Island | 10% |
| BR | Brazil | 50% |
| IO | British Indian Ocean Territory | 10% |
| BN | Brunei Darussalam | 25% |
| BG | Bulgaria | 15% |
| BF | Burkina Faso | 10% |
| BI | Burundi | 10% |
| KH | Cambodia | 19% |
| CM | Cameroon | 15% |
| CA | Canada | 35% |
| CV | Cape Verde | 10% |
| KY | Cayman Islands | 10% |
| CF | Central African Republic | 10% |
| TD | Chad | 15% |
| CL | Chile | 10% |
| CN | China, People's Republic of | 20% |
| CX | Christmas Island | 10% |
| CC | Cocos (Keeling) Islands | 10% |
| CO | Colombia | 10% |
| KM | Comoros | 10% |
| CG | Congo | 10% |
| CD | Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 15% |
| CK | Cook Islands | 10% |
| CR | Costa Rica | 15% |
| HR | Croatia | 15% |
| CU | Cuba | 10% |
| CW | Curaçao | 10% |
| CY | Cyprus | 15% |
| CZ | Czech Republic | 15% |
| DK | Denmark | 15% |
| DJ | Djibouti | 10% |
| DM | Dominica | 10% |
| DO | Dominican Republic | 10% |
| EC | Ecuador | 15% |
| EG | Egypt | 10% |
| SV | El Salvador | 10% |
| GQ | Equatorial Guinea | 15% |
| ER | Eritrea | 10% |
| EE | Estonia | 15% |
| SZ | Eswatini | 10% |
| ET | Ethiopia | 10% |
| FK | Falkland Islands (Malvinas) | 10% |
| FO | Faroe Islands (Denmark) | 10% |
| FJ | Fiji | 15% |
| FI | Finland | 15% |
| FR | France | 15% |
| PF | French Polynesia (Tahiti) | 10% |
| TF | French Southern Territories | 10% |
| GA | Gabon | 10% |
| GM | Gambia | 10% |
| GE | Georgia | 10% |
| DE | Germany | 15% |
| GH | Ghana | 15% |
| GI | Gibraltar | 10% |
| GR | Greece | 15% |
| GL | Greenland (Denmark) | 10% |
| GD | Grenada | 10% |
| GT | Guatemala | 10% |
| GG | Guernsey | 10% |
| GN | Guinea | 10% |
| GW | Guinea-Bissau | 10% |
| GY | Guyana | 15% |
| HT | Haiti | 10% |
| HM | Heard Island and McDonald Islands | 10% |
| HN | Honduras | 10% |
| HK | Hong Kong | 30% |
| HU | Hungary | 15% |
| IS | Iceland | 15% |
| IN | India | 18% |
| ID | Indonesia | 19% |
| IR | Iran | 10% |
| IQ | Iraq | 35% |
| IE | Ireland | 15% |
| IM | Isle of Man | 10% |
| IL | Israel | 15% |
| IT | Italy | 15% |
| CI | Ivory Coast | 10% |
| JM | Jamaica | 10% |
| JP | Japan | 15% |
| JE | Jersey | 10% |
| JO | Jordan | 15% |
| KZ | Kazakhstan | 25% |
| KE | Kenya | 10% |
| KI | Kiribati | 10% |
| KP | Korea, Democratic People's Republic of | 10% |
| KR | Korea, The Republic of | 15% |
| KW | Kuwait | 10% |
| KG | Kyrgyzstan | 10% |
| LA | Laos | 40% |
| LV | Latvia | 15% |
| LB | Lebanon | 10% |
| LS | Lesotho | 15% |
| LR | Liberia | 10% |
| LY | Libya | 30% |
| LI | Liechtenstein | 15% |
| LT | Lithuania | 15% |
| LU | Luxembourg | 15% |
| MO | Macau | 30% |
| MK | Macedonia | 15% |
| MG | Madagascar | 15% |
| MW | Malawi | 15% |
| MY | Malaysia | 19% |
| MV | Maldives | 10% |
| ML | Mali | 10% |
| MT | Malta | 15% |
| MH | Marshall Islands | 10% |
| MQ | Martinique | 10% |
| MR | Mauritania | 10% |
| MU | Mauritius | 15% |
| MX | Mexico | 25% |
| FM | Micronesia, Federated States of | 10% |
| MD | Moldova | 25% |
| MC | Monaco | 10% |
| MN | Mongolia | 10% |
| ME | Montenegro | 10% |
| MS | Montserrat | 10% |
| MA | Morocco | 10% |
| MZ | Mozambique | 15% |
| MM | Myanmar | 40% |
| NA | Namibia | 15% |
| NR | Nauru, Republic Of | 15% |
| NP | Nepal | 10% |
| NL | Netherlands | 15% |
| NC | New Caledonia | 10% |
| NZ | New Zealand | 15% |
| NI | Nicaragua | 18% |
| NE | Niger | 10% |
| NG | Nigeria | 15% |
| NU | Niue Island | 10% |
| NF | Norfolk Island | 10% |
| NO | Norway | 15% |
| OM | Oman | 10% |
| PK | Pakistan | 19% |
| PW | Palau | 10% |
| PS | Palestine | 10% |
| PA | Panama | 10% |
| PG | Papua New Guinea | 15% |
| PY | Paraguay | 10% |
| PE | Peru | 10% |
| PH | Philippines | 19% |
| PN | Pitcairn | 10% |
| PL | Poland | 15% |
| PT | Portugal | 15% |
| QA | Qatar | 10% |
| RO | Romania | 15% |
| RU | Russia | 10% |
| RW | Rwanda | 10% |
| SH | Saint Helena | 10% |
| PM | Saint Pierre and Miquelon | 10% |
| WS | Samoa | 10% |
| SM | San Marino | 10% |
| ST | Sao Tome & Principe | 10% |
| SA | Saudi Arabia | 10% |
| SN | Senegal | 10% |
| RS | Serbia | 35% |
| SC | Seychelles | 10% |
| SL | Sierra Leone | 10% |
| SG | Singapore | 10% |
| SX | Sint Maarten (Dutch part) | 10% |
| SK | Slovakia | 15% |
| SI | Slovenia | 15% |
| SB | Solomon Islands | 10% |
| SO | Somalia | 10% |
| ZA | South Africa | 30% |
| GS | South Georgia and the South Sandwich Is | 10% |
| SS | South Sudan | 10% |
| ES | Spain | 15% |
| LK | Sri Lanka | 20% |
| KN | St. Kitts and Nevis | 10% |
| LC | St. Lucia | 10% |
| MF | St. Martin | 10% |
| VC | St. Vincent | 10% |
| SD | Sudan | 10% |
| SR | Suriname | 10% |
| SJ | Svaldbard | 10% |
| SE | Sweden | 15% |
| CH | Switzerland | 15% |
| SY | Syria | 41% |
| TW | Taiwan | 20% |
| TJ | Tajikistan | 10% |
| TZ | Tanzania | 10% |
| TH | Thailand | 19% |
| TL | Timor-Leste | 10% |
| TG | Togo | 10% |
| TK | Tokelau | 10% |
| TO | Tonga | 10% |
| TT | Trinidad and Tobago | 15% |
| TN | Tunisia | 25% |
| TR | Turkey | 15% |
| TM | Turkmenistan | 10% |
| TC | Turks and Caicos Islands | 10% |
| TV | Tuvalu | 10% |
| UG | Uganda | 15% |
| UA | Ukraine | 10% |
| AE | United Arab Emirates | 10% |
| GB | United Kingdom | 10% |
| UY | Uruguay | 10% |
| UZ | Uzbekistan | 10% |
| VU | Vanuatu | 15% |
| VA | Vatican City | 10% |
| VE | Venezuela | 15% |
| VN | Vietnam | 20% |
| VG | Virgin Islands (British) | 10% |
| WF | Wallis and Futana | 10% |
| EH | Western Sahara | 10% |
| YE | Yemen | 10% |
| ZM | Zambia | 15% |
| ZW | Zimbabwe | 15% |
Section 232 vs. Section 122: Critical difference for postal
Many products subject to high Section 232 tariffs (steel, aluminum, copper, auto parts) are only subject to the 10% Section 122 surcharge when shipped via postal.
Example comparison: Section 232 products
Steel and auto parts from Germany valued at $50 each:
| Product Type↕ | Section 232↕ | Section 122 (Postal)↕ | Section 232 (Postal)↕ | Commercial Rate↕ | Postal Duty↕ | Commercial Duty↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel products | 50% | 10% | Not applied | 50% | $5.00 | $25.00 |
| Auto parts | 50% | 10% | Not applied | 50% | $5.00 | $25.00 |
Multi-item packages: Individual calculation
One of the most important aspects of postal tariff calculations is how duties are applied when a package contains multiple items from different countries. Zonos uses individual item calculation, which is the most cost-effective approach.
Example: Multi-item package calculation
Mixed ecommerce package with items from different countries:
| Item↕ | Origin↕ | Value↕ | Section 122 Rate↕ | Duty Amount↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phone case | Vietnam | $15 | 10% | $1.50 |
| Phone charger | China | $25 | 10% | $2.50 |
| Screen protector | Brazil | $10 | 10% | $1.00 |
| Total | $50 | $5.00 |
Why this matters for ecommerce
- Individual calculation: Each item is calculated based on its own country of origin
- Cost-effective: More favorable than alternative calculation methods
- Zonos handles CBP entries: Proper duty remittance ensures accurate calculations
Ecommerce examples by major origin countries
Example comparison: Popular ecommerce products
| Product Category↕ | Origin↕ | Item Value↕ | Section 122 Rate↕ | Duty Amount↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronics accessories | China | $20 | 10% | $2.00 |
| Clothing and fashion | China | $35 | 10% | $3.50 |
| Coffee and food | Brazil | $30 | 10% | $3.00 |
| Textiles and apparel | India | $35 | 10% | $3.50 |
| Leather goods | Brazil | $60 | 10% | $6.00 |
| Maple syrup | Canada | $20 | 10% | $2.00 |
| Outdoor gear | Canada | $80 | 10% | $8.00 |
| Artisan crafts | Mexico | $30 | 10% | $3.00 |
| Textiles and apparel | Vietnam | $35 | 10% | $3.50 |
| Electronics accessories | Vietnam | $20 | 10% | $2.00 |
USMCA and postal shipments: Important distinction
USMCA does NOT apply to postal shipments
Critical: USMCA-originating goods from Canada and Mexico are NOT exempt from the Section 122 surcharge for postal shipments. All postal shipments pay the 10% Section 122 rate regardless of USMCA qualification.
Why this happens: There is no methodology for providing proof of USMCA origin in the postal environment. Unlike commercial shipments where importers can submit certificates of origin and other documentation, postal shipments lack the infrastructure to verify and process USMCA qualification.
Canada: USMCA-originating goods still pay the 10% Section 122 rate for postal shipments Mexico: USMCA-originating goods still pay the 10% Section 122 rate for postal shipments
Commercial vs. Postal: Documentation requirements
Commercial shipments: Can qualify for USMCA exemptions, but require:
- Certificate of origin documentation
- Proof of USMCA qualification
- Additional compliance costs and administrative burden
- Often expensive to obtain and maintain proper documentation
Postal shipments: No USMCA exemptions available due to lack of proof methodology
Practical ecommerce impact
Key point: All postal shipments from Canada and Mexico pay the 10% Section 122 rate regardless of USMCA qualification.
Example: Wooden furniture from Canada valued at $50
- Postal shipment: 10% Section 122 rate = $5.00 duty
- No USMCA exemptions apply to postal shipments
Value thresholds and entry requirements
Under $800: Postal DDP process
Packages valued under $800 USD can be processed through the postal DDP system:
- Subject to Section 122 surcharge only (10%)
- No formal entry required with CBP
- Duties must be collected at origin
- Carriers or qualified parties remit duties monthly to CBP
$800 to $2,500: Informal entry required
Packages valued between $800 and $2,500 require informal entry:
- Do not collect duties at origin for these shipments
- CBP will process through standard informal entry procedures
- Subject to all applicable duties (Section 122 + Section 232 + MFN + etc.)
- Standard customs clearance process applies
- Much higher duty rates than postal
Over $2,500: Formal entry required
Packages valued over $2,500 require formal entry:
- Do not collect duties at origin for these shipments
- Formal customs entry process required
- Subject to all applicable duties
- Professional customs broker typically required
Critical for ecommerce: Keep individual shipment values under $800 to qualify for postal rates. Split large orders across multiple shipments if beneficial.
Returns and repairs
Rules
- Unused merchandise returns: Eligible for duty-free status if the package is intact and bears the proper original USPS labelling.
- Repairs and used goods: Not eligible for duty-free treatment; standard Section 122 rates apply based on country of origin.
Examples
- Unused return from China, $100 value, original USPS label intact → Duty-free
- Repair shipment from Germany, $50 value → 10% Section 122 → $5 duty
Business impact
- Returns: Factor in duty costs when processing international returns
- Repairs: Repair shipments pay the same rates as new products
- Warranty: No exemptions for warranty-related shipments
Non-deliverables and refunds
Current state: There are no refund mechanisms in place for non-deliverables by post. Plan collections and customer communications accordingly.
Postal exemptions (as of Sept. 16, 2025)
The following are the only postal exemptions allowed by CBP for shipments under $800. Anything not listed here is subject to the Section 122 surcharge.
-
Goods covered under 50 U.S.C. § 1702(b)
Includes certain donations and informational materials. See the HTS list of informational materials below. -
Bona fide gifts (19 C.F.R. § 10.153(a))
Articles formerly owned by a donor and given outright, without compensation or promise of compensation. This does not include purchased items, items exchanged, or promotional “bonus” goods tied to a transaction. -
Mail flats, documents, and letters (P and G format mail shipments)
Provided they do not contain merchandise.
Informational materials – HTS codes exempt under 50 U.S.C. § 1702(b)
- Chapter 49
- Headings: 3704, 3705, 3706, 5807, 8310, 9701, 9702, 9703, 9704, and 9705
- Subheadings: 6307.90.30, 6307.90.85, 8523.80.10, 8523.29, 8523.41, 8523.49, 9405.61, 9405.69
Clarification on Chapter 98 HTS codes
“No, the only exemptions are outlined in the guidance and the EO. Effective August 29, 2025, de minimis duty-free treatment under 19 U.S.C. § 1321(a)(2)(C) will no longer be available for shipments entering into the United States not covered by 50 U.S.C. § 1702(b), including those entering through international mail.”
Build duties into product pricing
Example approach for China-origin products:
- Base product cost: $50
- Add 10% for duties: $5
- Final price to customer: $55+ (includes duty)
- Customer pays no additional fees at delivery
Is the Section 122 rate the same for all countries?
Yes. The Section 122 global surcharge applies at a flat 10% rate for all countries effective February 24, 2026, replacing the previous IEEPA-based rates that ranged from 10% to 50% by country.
Example comparison: Section 232 products
Steel and auto parts from Germany valued at $50 each:
| Product Type↕ | Section 232↕ | Section 122 (Postal)↕ | Section 232 (Postal)↕ | Commercial Rate↕ | Postal Duty↕ | Commercial Duty↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel products | 50% | 10% | Not applied | 50% | $5.00 | $25.00 |
| Auto parts | 50% | 10% | Not applied | 50% | $5.00 | $25.00 |
Can I use postal rates for packages over $800?
No. Packages valued at $800 USD or higher should follow standard customs entry procedures:
- $800-$2,500: Informal entry process
- Over $2,500: Formal entry process
- These shipments are subject to all applicable duties (much higher rates)
- CBP handles the duty collection process
- Much higher costs than postal rates
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. Postal shipments from China are now subject to the flat 10% Section 122 surcharge only.
Section 301 tariffs continue to not apply to postal shipments:
- Apply only to commercial shipments
- Separate trade remedy targeting unfair practices
- Would add another 7.5% or 25% for commercial China shipments
Can I change calculation methods?
Zonos uses individual item calculation for all postal shipments, which is the most cost-effective approach. This method:
- Calculates each item based on its own country of origin
- Provides the lowest possible duty costs for mixed-origin packages
- 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 HS 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, 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.
Are postal exemptions still available under de minimis?
Yes — but only the three exemptions listed (informational materials, bona fide gifts, and non-merchandise mail). Annex II exemptions do not apply to international mail.
Resources and updates
Postal tariff rates are subject to frequent changes based on ongoing trade policy decisions. Key resources:
- CBP CSMS messages: Official guidance on tariff updates
- CBP Publications: New Tariff Requirements for 2025
- Executive Orders: Presidential directives affecting tariffs
- Federal Register: Formal rule publications
- Trade bulletins: Industry-specific updates
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
Understanding how tariffs are calculated and applied to postal shipments to the United States.
IEEPA-based tariffs ended at 12:00 a.m. EST on February 24, 2026. Postal shipment duties are now reset to the 10% Section 122 global surcharge, replacing previous IEEPA-based rates. See IEEPA tariff ruling updates for details.
Key takeaway: Postal shipments only pay the Section 122 surcharge (10%), while commercial shipments pay all duties including MFN, Section 232, and Section 301 (can exceed 70%).