(Follow-up Notice) Expansion of Acceptance Points for Mail Items Destined for the United States |
October 23, 2026
As of October 15, 2026, Japan Post resumed acceptance of mail items destined for the United States at virtually all post offices following the expansion of the scope of mail items subject to advance electronic data submission by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
However, CBP has subsequently notified us that, for "Documents" and "Gifts exchanged between private individuals valued at USD 100 or less", advance electronic data submission will be optional until January 19, 2027.
The changes resulting from this notification are outlined below.
Changes
Advance Electronic Data Submission for Mail Items Containing "Documents" or "Gifts Exchanged Between Private Individuals Valued at USD 100 or Less"
As previously announced, following CBP's notification that advance electronic data submission would be required for all mail items containing goods valued at USD 2,500 or less*1, customers were required to complete advance electronic data registration through applications and other tools provided by a CBP-certified Qualified Party, specifically through the service providers recommended by Japan Post (Approved Providers). *2
On October 15, 2026, CBP notified us that advance electronic data submission for mail items containing "Documents" or "Gifts exchanged between private individuals valued at USD 100 or less" will be optional until January 19, 2027.
During this period in which advance electronic data submission is optional, customers are nevertheless encouraged to complete advance electronic data registration in order to facilitate smooth import customs clearance in the United States.
In response to this notification, certain mailing conditions and related requirements will be revised. Please refer to the table below for details of the revised conditions.
- 1 Excludes Letters (standard-size and non-standard-size letters, greeting cards), postcards, mail for the blind, printed matter, and EMS (Documents).
- 2 The Approved Providers recommended by Japan Post are Zonos and SafePackage.
1 Conditions for Mailing to the United States (Effective October 23, 2026)
| Mail Category | Value of Contents | Advance Electronic Data Registration (Advance Payment of Duties and Taxes) |
Dutiable / Duty-Free(1) | Labeling Requirements | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letters (standard-size, non-standard-size, and greeting cards), Postcards Mail for the Blind Printed Matter (2) EMS (Documents) (2) |
- | Not Required | Exempt | Not Required | |
| All Other Mail Items | USD 100 or Less | Gifts Between Private Individuals | Optional (Recommended) (3) | DDP-(13-digit Advance Declaration Number) (If Registered in Advance) |
|
| Other than Gifts Between Private Individuals | Required (3) | Dutiable | DDP-(13-digit Advance Declaration Number) | ||
| Over USD 100 and Up to USD 2,500 | |||||
| Over USD 2,500 | Not Required | Duties and Taxes Collected at Destination (Paid by the Importer) |
Not Required | ||
Note:
- 1: The final determination of whether duties and taxes are applicable is made by U.S. Customs. If advance electronic data registration is completed, the assessed duty and tax amount will be displayed, and prepayment of customs duties and other charges will be required.
- 2: Items subject to customs inspection, such as books, calendars, and game cards, need to be mailed as Small Packets or EMS (Goods), rather than as Printed Matter or EMS (Documents).
- 3: 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. Where "DDP" is indicated on the address label for a postal item for which duties are prepaid
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)".
(1) Download the Application
3. How to Prepay Duties and Taxes
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.
Please note that post offices are unable to provide guidance on or assistance with the operation of applications used to prepay customs duties and taxes. If you have any questions regarding how to use the application, please contact the respective service provider through the application.
Your understanding in this regard would be greatly appreciated. -
Revision of the International Mail Conditions Table
In connection with the changes described above, parts of the International Mail Conditions Table applicable to mail destined for the United States and certain other countries will be revised on November 1, 2026. Please refer to the revised International Mail Conditions Table on and after the effective date.
Until the revision takes effect, please refer to the information below (the newly added or revised portions are indicated in bold).Country / Territory Contents United States of America (including Guam, Saipan, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia The following text will be added to / revised in the "Special Conditions Applicable to All Mail Items" section:
(2) Mail items with contents valued at USD 2,500 or less (excluding letters [standard-size letters, non-standard-size letters, and greeting cards], postcards, mail for the blind, Printed Matter*1, and EMS (Documents)*1) may be accepted only if advance electronic data registration and, where required, payment of duties and taxes have been completed through an application or other tool provided by a service provider recommended by Japan Post (meaning a service provider certified by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and recommended by Japan Post; the same shall apply hereinafter)*2, and a label bearing the notation "DDP-(13-digit declaration number)" has been created.
However, for mail items containing gifts exchanged between private individuals valued at USD 100 or less, advance electronic data registration is optional, and such items may be mailed without completing advance electronic data registration through an application or other tool. Nevertheless, advance electronic data registration is recommended in order to facilitate smooth import customs clearance in the United States.
(3) Mail items with contents valued at more than USD 2,500 may be mailed without completing advance electronic data registration through an application or other tool provided by a service provider recommended by Japan Post, as such items are subject to a Formal Entry declaration and payment procedure in the United States.
(*1) Books, calendars, game cards, and similar items that are subject to customs inspection must be mailed as Small Packets, EMS (Merchandise), or other appropriate mail categories, and not as Printed Matter or EMS (Documents).
(*2) Service providers recommended by Japan Post
(https://www.post.japanpost.jp/service/send/oversea/information/2026/0413_01_02.pdf) -
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)
