Shipping into the USA continues to evolve with regulatory changes challenging even the most experienced importers. A case in point of the challenges faced by Fedex and UPS. The necessity of providing timely documentation -and in their case at scale - is a new demand being made for importers. As well as to those companies shipping to the United States.
Choosing the right HS Code is critical for smooth international shipping. A correct classification ensures you pay the right duties, avoid customs delays, and stay compliant with trade laws. This guide explains how to select the correct HS Code — and how Jet Worldwide can help simplify the process.
This article explains what could happen if the Supreme Court rules that tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are unlawful, and — critically — how importers can protect their right to recover duties already paid. Refunds are not automatic. You must preserve your claim now.
When people discuss the surge of de minimis shipments into the U.S., most point to the 2016 increase of the duty-free threshold to $800. But the real driver wasn’t the dollar limit—it was an operational fix gone wrong: the launch of Type 86.
For e-commerce platforms, sellers, importers, and logistics providers, understanding this story is crucial for navigating the present and planning for the future.
The Old Guard: A System of Control and Compliance
Topics: section 321 type 86, de minimis, failure of type 86
If you ship products from Japan to the United States, big changes are here that could affect your costs, filings, and overall import strategy. On September 4, 2025, a U.S.–Japan trade agreement sets a default 15% minimum tariff on nearly all imports from Japan.
Phone manufacturers, including Apple, are moving towards “eSIM*.”If your carriers network does not support, you have to buy a physical nano-SIM. Nano-SIM Apple phones can still be purchased from Canada (most iPhone’s purchased in the USA are not available with a nano-SIM).
Recent changes in U.S. customs regulations have created a new landscape for international shipping, especially for small businesses and e-commerce. A recent executive order has eliminated the "de minimis" rule, which previously allowed packages valued at less than $800 to enter the United States duty-free. This change, aimed at combating illicit trade and leveling the playing field, has triggered a significant response from foreign postal authorities, many of which have temporarily suspended services to the USA.
While suspension of the de minimis affects all imports, it's particularly aimed at international postal networks. Postal imports were frequently used to "fly under the radar" of customs. The regulatory oversight of commercial imports has always been much greater than for postal imports. Now, packages sent via international post will face significant duties – either a flat fee of $80 to $200 per item, or new Trump era duty charges which can be over 50%. But this new burden falls not yet on the post office but also commercial carriers and porters.
Effective August 29, 2025, a significant change is coming to how international mail shipments are processed upon entry to the United States1. Pursuant to Executive Order 14324, issued on July 30, 2025, the duty-free de minimis treatment for all countries is being suspended for shipments entering the U.S. through the international postal network. This means that carriers and other approved "qualified parties" must now collect and remit duties for articles that were previously eligible for this exemption.
A huge policy shift, including both executive orders and legislative actions, mark the effective termination of the broad de minimis /Section 321 /Entry Type 86 exemption. This shift mandates a transition to more rigorous import procedures, primarily informal Entry Type 11 and formal Entry Type 01 entries. The implications for global e-commerce are far-reaching.
Re-evaluation of supply chain and fulfillment models are imperative to navigate this new regulatory environment successfully. High volume e-commerce importing is still possible via new processes.
