On October 14, 2026 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced a 90-day extension of the compliance date for new informal entry procedures covering certain international mail shipments, moving the deadline from October 22, 2026 to January 20, 2027. The delay gives importers, customs brokers and logistics providers more time to update systems for Entry Type 13 filings in the Automated Commercial Environment. Procurement and supply-chain teams that receive low-value goods via international postal channels should use the extra window to confirm broker readiness and duty exposure.
CBP’s October 14 extension pushes the mandatory start of new postal informal-entry rules to January 20, 2027, giving importers additional preparation time before de minimis treatment ends for covered mail shipments.
This is not customs or legal advice. Importers should confirm specific product classifications and filing obligations with their customs broker or counsel.
- What changed? CBP delayed the compliance date for new informal entry procedures on international mail from October 22, 2026 to January 20, 2027.
- When? Announced October 14, 2026; original target was October 22; new deadline is January 20, 2027.
- Who is affected? Importers, brokers and logistics providers handling international postal shipments valued at $2,500 or less that are subject to Section 201, 232 or 301 duties or Partner Government Agency requirements.
- What to do this week? Contact your customs broker to confirm Entry Type 13 readiness, map which inbound postal shipments will lose de minimis treatment, and update internal receiving procedures.
What did CBP announce?
CBP stated that it is extending the compliance date for the new informal entry process applicable to international mail. The agency said the 90-day extension provides importers, brokers and logistics providers additional time to update their processes while helping avoid disruptions to certain international postal shipments destined for the United States. The underlying Interim Final Rule, issued in June 2026, indefinitely suspended the de minimis duty-free exemption for imports valued at $800 or less arriving through the international postal network and created a new postal informal entry process (Entry Type 13) for certain merchandise valued at $2,500 or less.
How will the new procedures work once implemented?
After January 20, 2027, international postal shipments that are subject to Section 201, 232 or 301 duties, or that fall under the jurisdiction of a Partner Government Agency, must be filed electronically in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) using the new Entry Type 13 process for informal entry. Shipments that do not qualify for the informal process will require formal entry. The change effectively ends automatic de minimis treatment for the covered postal channel and requires advance electronic data that many small-parcel flows previously avoided.
Why did CBP grant the delay?
The agency cited the need for the trade community to update systems and processes. Implementing Entry Type 13 requires coordination among postal operators, customs brokers and importers. A rushed October 22 deadline risked shipment holds or returns that would have disrupted legitimate low-value commerce. The extra 90 days is intended to reduce those operational frictions while still advancing the policy goal of applying duties and agency requirements to the postal channel.
What should procurement operators do this week?
Identify all suppliers or e-commerce platforms that currently ship via international mail (as opposed to express couriers). Confirm with your customs broker whether they are ready to file Entry Type 13 and what data elements they will need from you. Estimate the duty exposure on typical low-value SKUs once de minimis no longer applies. Update receiving and accounts-payable procedures so that any new duty or brokerage charges are captured correctly. Use the remaining time before January 20 to test the new filing flow on a small volume of shipments if possible.
What should teams watch next?
Watch for additional CBP guidance or FAQs on Entry Type 13 data requirements. Monitor whether further extensions are granted closer to the January 20 date. Track parallel developments on de minimis treatment for non-postal channels, as policy attention remains high. Procurement teams should also confirm that any automated inventory or landed-cost systems can accommodate the new duty calculations once the rules take effect.
FAQ
Does the delay restore de minimis treatment permanently?
No. It only postpones the compliance date for the new informal entry procedures. The underlying suspension of de minimis for covered postal shipments remains in place.
Which shipments are covered by Entry Type 13?
Certain international mail shipments valued at $2,500 or less that are subject to Section 201, 232 or 301 duties or Partner Government Agency requirements.
What happens if a shipment is not filed under Entry Type 13?
Formal entry will be required, which typically involves more data, higher bond requirements and longer processing times.
Does this affect express courier shipments (UPS, FedEx, DHL)?
The specific announcement addresses international mail / postal network shipments. Express carriers already operate under different entry processes; confirm with your broker for any parallel changes.
Where can operators find official CBP resources?
CBP’s e-Commerce page and the October 14 press release on the international mail Entry Type 13 implementation date.
Last Updated: October 28, 2026.
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