Importing through the Mail - Part 6 of 7
welcome to the sixth part of this 7-part e-course on importing goods into the USA. Up until now, our ecourse has described the importation process through U.S. ports of entry. However, some importers find it beneficial to utilize the postal system for importation instead or as well. For example:
The duty on parcels of less than $2,000 in value is collected by the postal carrier.
Smaller, low value packages can often be shipped less expensively by mail.
There is no formal entry required on merchandise under $2,000 in value.
There is no need to personally clear shipments of less than $2,000 in value.
The U.S. Postal Service and Customs & Border Patrol have developed joint regulations to oversee importation by mail. They include:
All parcel post packages must have a CBP declaration (available at post offices worldwide) attached to the outer packaging; the declaration must provide an accurate description of the contents and their value.
Commercial shipments must include an invoice; the presence of an enclosed invoice should be marked on the outer wrapping, using the words, "invoice enclosed".
Other package types such as letter-class mail, commercial papers, printed materials or samples of merchandise must have a Form C1 available at www.upu.int attached securely to the outside or must have the words "may be opened for customs inspection before delivery" conspicuously written on the wrapping.
For parcels valued at less than $2,000, a customs officer prepares an entry form and the postal carrier delivers the parcel to the addressee upon payment of duty. For parcels valued at more than $2,000, CBP notifies the addressee to file a formal CBP entry at the nearest Customs Port of Entry. There is a $5.00 fee for CBP processing and an additional postal fee assessed for customs clearing.
There is a list of items that require formal entry even if the value is over $250, such as furs, footwear, gloves, handbags and so on; textiles and made-to-measure suits always require formal entry.
