Expansion of Acceptance Points for Mail Items Destined for the United States |
October 14, 2026
Following the expansion of the scope of mail items subject to advance electronic data registration requirements by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Japan Post will expand the acceptance of mail items destined for the United States, which has been limited to designated post offices, to, in principle, all post offices from October 15, 2026.
Changes from October 15, 2026
1. Expansion of the Scope of Postal Items Subject to Advance Declaration Registration
Personal gift items valued at USD 100 or less exchanged between private individuals had previously been exempt from the requirement for advance duty payment. However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has advised that all postal items containing goods valued at USD 2,500 or less will now be subject to advance declaration requirements with CBP.*1
Accordingly, advance declaration registration through an application or other designated platform (hereinafter referred to as the "Application, etc.") provided by a Qualified Party certified by CBP and recommended by Japan Post (hereinafter referred to as the "Authorized Service Provider")*2 will be required.
2. Expansion of Acceptance of Mail Items Destined for the United States to All Post Offices*3
Previously, postal items requiring advance declaration registration through the Application, etc. could only be accepted at post offices designated by Japan Post. In light of the expansion of the scope of postal items subject to advance declaration registration as described in Section 1 above, and in order to improve customer convenience, Japan Post will begin accepting mail items destined for the United States at all post offices.
- 1 Excluding letters (standard-size letters, non-standard-size letters, and greeting cards) and postcards.
- 2 The Authorized Service Providers are Zonos and SafePackage.
- 3 Excluding simplified post offices that do not handle international mail services.
Conditions for Mailing to the United States (Effective October 15, 2026)
| Mail Category | Value of Contents | Contents | Advance Declaration Registration via the Application, etc. | Duty and Tax Payment | Labeling Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letters(standard-size, non-standard-size, and greeting cards), Postcards | - | - | Not Required | Exempt | Not Required |
| All Other Mail Items | USD 100 or Less | Documents and Gifts Between Private Individuals | Required(1) | Exempt(2) | DDP-(13-Digit Advance Declaration Number)(3) |
| All Other Items | Required(1) | Dutiable(2) | DDP-(13-Digit Advance Declaration Number)(3) | ||
| 1Over USD 100 and Up to USD 2,500 | All Categories | Required(1) | Dutiable(2) | DDP-(13-Digit Advance Declaration Number)(3) | |
| Over USD 2,500 | All Categories | Not Required |
Duties and Taxes Collected at Destination (Paid by the Importer) |
Not Required |
Note:
- 1: Advance declaration registration must be completed through an application or other designated platform provided by an Authorized Service Provider recommended by Japan Post among the Qualified Parties certified by CBP.
- 2: The final determination regarding whether duties and taxes are applicable will be made by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). However, upon completion of advance declaration registration, the estimated amount of duties and taxes will be displayed, and prepayment of such duties and taxes is required.
Please note that advance declaration registration through the Application, etc. is required for all applicable mail items, including documents and gifts exchanged between private individuals with a value of USD 100 or less, regardless of whether the item is ultimately exempt from duties and taxes.
In addition, service fees will apply irrespective of whether the item is duty-free or subject to duties and taxes. - 3: Examples of the placement of the “DDP” indication on address labels for mail items registered through the Application, etc. are shown below.
If the information is not automatically printed in the blank space at the top of the label, please manually write“DDP-(13-digit Declaration Number)”.
3. How to Prepay Duties and Taxes
(1) Download the Application
①Zonos
|
②SafePackage
|
- iPhone is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.
- Android is a registered trademark of Google LLC.
(2) Website (How-to Videos for the Application Available)
①Zonos
|
②SafePackage
|
(3) How to use
Zonos Prepay
https://www.post.japanpost.jp/service/send/oversea/information/2026/0413_01_10.pdf
SafePackage
https://www.post.japanpost.jp/service/send/oversea/information/2026/1014_01_01.pdf
Note:
- Japan Post currently recommends two Authorized Service Providers: Zonos and SafePackage.
- Service fees prescribed by the respective service provider will apply when completing advance declaration registration through an application or other designated platform. Such fees are payable regardless of whether the shipment is exempt from duties and taxes.
- For information regarding cancellation policies and other terms applicable after payment has been made, please contact the respective service provider directly.
4. Other Information
-
Prepayment of Duties and Taxes
The procedures for the prepayment of duties and taxes described in this notice constitute a transaction between the Authorized Service Provider and the sender.
Japan Post is not involved in these procedures, and its responsibility is limited to services provided in accordance with the International Mail Regulations.
Your understanding in this regard would be greatly appreciated. -
Revision of the International Mail Conditions Table
In conjunction with the changes described above, certain provisions of the International Mail Conditions Table applicable to mail destined for the United States and other countries will be revised on October 22, 2026.
For details, please refer to the International Mail Conditions Table published on and after the effective date of the revision. -
UGX (Yu Global Express) International Courier Service
UGX (Yu Global Express), which has been available since August 27, 2025 as an alternative shipping option to international mail services, will continue to be available.
For further information on UGX, please refer to the following website:
UGX (Yu Global Express)
