CBP Extends Deadline for New International Mail Rules to January 2027

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

WASHINGTON, TEXAS (News Release) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection announces the extension of the compliance date for new informal entry procedures for international mail from Oct. 22, 2026, to Jan. 20, 2027. 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.

Mail Entry Type 13 (ET13) is a new electronic customs-entry process used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to process certain packages mailed to the United States from other countries. It is designed to help the government track imported merchandise, determine applicable customs duties, and enforce import regulations.

Imported merchandise may be subject to customs duties, and shipments must meet the applicable entry requirements. The change does not mean every recipient must personally file paperwork.

As previously announced in the June 24, Interim Final Rule, “Indefinite Suspension of the De Minimis Exemption for Mail Shipments and New Postal Informal Entry Process” and the Federal Register Notice, “Test of the New Electronic Entry Process for Mail,” all international postal shipments that are subject to Section 201, 232, or 301 duty or are the jurisdiction of a Partner Government Agency will be required to be filed electronically in the Automated Commercial Environment through the new Entry Type 13 process for purposes of informal entry (otherwise, formal entry is required).

To allow more time for filers to adjust to the new electronic requirements for informal entry, CBP extends the timeline for mandatory use of Entry Type 13 for these shipments to Jan. 20, 2027. There are no changes to international mail entry procedures before Jan. 20, 2027. Beginning on that date, CBP requires the use of the new Entry Type 13 process for the informal entry of international postal shipments subject to Section 201, 232 or 301 duties or the jurisdiction of a PGA.

“CBP is focused on securing our borders and using advance data to identify threats in international mail before they reach American communities,” said CBP Office of Trade Executive Assistant Commissioner Susan S. Thomas. “These requirements will close gaps that have been exploited by criminals to smuggle contraband sent through international mail.”

CBP has proposed requiring the new entry and data requirements for the informal entry of all international mail packages, except for letters and flats, in the Oct. 8 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking “Low-Value Shipments.” The agency is committed to bringing international mail entry procedures into parity with informal entry procedures across all other cargo modes while setting a global standard for modern customs controls in the international mail environment.

“These requirements will help create a more secure international mail stream, strengthening both our economic and national security,” said Executive Assistant Commissioner Diane J. Sabatino of CBP’s Office of Field Operations. “Advance electronic data will help CBP identify and stop illegal and unsafe shipments before they enter the United States.”

While the mandatory implementation date is being extended, CBP encourages filers to begin using the optional Entry Type 13 process for the informal entry of international mail shipments during this transition period to ensure readiness in advance of the new mandatory deadline. CBP will continue providing guidance, resources, and direct support to help the trade community prepare for and comply with the new international mail entry requirements. Additional information is available on CBP’s e-Commerce page.

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