You may have heard about a recent Executive Order introducing some significant changes to customs requirements for goods being imported to the USA on 29 August 2025.

We’ve been working hard with US authorities, Post Office, and others to adapt our postal services to these requirements.

Whether you're mailing a gift to friends or family, or you run a small business serving customers in the USA, you’ll still be able to send your items but you now need to send to the USA using one of our Postal Delivered Duties Paid services which allow the payment of duties to be taken at the point of purchase. This not only meets the new US customs requirements but minimises work for customers.
 

Sending goods to the USA – what’s changing?

The President of the United States announced an Executive Order on 30 July which outlined planned changes to the customs requirements and processes for goods being imported into the USA from 29 August 2025. These changes affect the export of goods to the USA from any country in the world, including the UK.

Removal of duty-free for low value items – until now, items valued at less than $800 could enter the U.S. without you having to pay customs duties. That’s changing and goods, regardless of value, may now be subject to import tariffs (duties). These duties must be paid by UK senders before they enter our network.

Sending gifts? If you are sending gifts valued at $100 or less, then you won't have to pay duties on these items. There will be fees to pay in addition to postage and you will need to use the new Royal Mail services in order to meet the new requirements. Information about and calculation of these fees will be clearly available wherever you buy your postage.

What duties will apply to goods? For goods (or gifts over $100) these can be shipped via Parcelforce at the Post Office online using the secure Royal Mail booking journey, duties will be calculated using the country-specific tariff for the item’s country of origin (where an item was made) and its value.
 

What do you need to know?

We want to help you carry on sending goods and gifts to the USA and keep costs to a minimum. Postage costs will remain the same for the new PDDP services as they are for the current USA services.

There are some administrative fees associated with the new US requirements that will apply to goods and gifts. These fees will be clearly communicated, at the online checkout or at the Post Office, so you’ll know the total amount to pay before you complete your purchase.
 

Running a small business?

Whether you purchase your postage online or at a Post Office you will be able to access a compliant Parcelforce PDDP service. As part of the service the duties for your items will be calculated and collected from you at the point of purchase. However, it’s worth familiarising yourself with the country tariffs which will apply to the goods you’re sending.
 

Buying postage online?

We’ve updated our online systems to meet the new requirements. If you currently use Parcelforce online channels, you will be signposted through to use Royal Mail’s secure website where customers can purchase the Global Priority PDDP service for items up to 30kg and PFW parcel dimensions. This service will display any duties and fees payable, prior to checkout and items can be dropped into the Post Office.
 

Buying Parcelforce services at the Post Office?

If you visit a Post Office to send items to the USA, you will be able to buy a compliant Parcelforce Global Priority PDDP service up to 30kg and with standard PFW dimensions. You will be advised of and be able to pay any duties and fees at the same time you purchase your postage at the counter.
 

When do the new services start operating?

The new US customs requirements became effective, Friday 29 August.