On 14 October 2026, US Customs announced a three-month postponement of the mandatory deadline for new electronic entry procedures for international mail, moving it from 22 October 2026 to 20 January 2027. This 90-day extension applies to all postal shipments subject to Section 201, 232 or 301 duties, or under the jurisdiction of partner government agencies, and gives importers, brokers and logistics providers crucial breathing space to adapt their processes before the mandatory application of Entry Type 13 in the ACE system.

90-day extension announced yesterday: the Entry Type 13 deadline moves from 22 October to 20 January 2027

On 14 October 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the extension of the compliance date for new informal entry procedures for international mail from 22 October 2026 to 20 January 2027. This decision comes just eight days before the original deadline and immediately eases operational pressure on thousands of importers shipping to the United States by post.

The 90-day extension gives importers, brokers and logistics providers additional time to update their processes while avoiding disruption to certain international postal shipments to the United States. For European, Asian and global e-commerce sellers using the postal channel, this reprieve means three more months to prepare for the migration to the new mandatory electronic system.

Until 20 January 2027, there is no change to international mail entry procedures. But from that date, all postal shipments subject to Section 201, 232 or 301 tariffs will have to use the Entry Type 13 process in ACE.

There is no change to international mail entry procedures before 20 January 2027. In practical terms, this means importers can continue using current processes for a further 98 days, but this extension is not a suspension of obligations: 20 January remains a firm deadline.

Which postal shipments are affected by the Entry Type 13 obligation from 20 January

From 20 January 2027, CBP will require 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 under the jurisdiction of a partner government agency. This obligation covers a massive share of e-commerce imports into the United States.

Affected products notably include: steel, aluminium and copper products (Section 232), Chinese goods subject to Section 301 tariffs, textile and clothing products under quota, and any goods regulated by the FDA, EPA, or other federal agencies. For an importer selling electronics from China, cosmetics from Europe, or textiles from India by post, this means every shipment will have to be declared electronically via ACE with a 10-digit tariff classification, importer number, and customs bond.

All international postal shipments subject to Section 201, 232 or 301 duties or under the jurisdiction of a partner government agency will have to be filed electronically in the Automated Commercial Environment via the new entry type 13. Without this electronic declaration, formal entry becomes mandatory, with much higher costs and delays.

What Entry Type 13 means in practice

Entry Type 13 is a new electronic declaration process specifically designed for postal shipments worth less than 2,500 dollars. Unlike the traditional postal process, where declarations were often processed manually after the goods arrived, Entry Type 13 requires a full electronic declaration via ACE before the parcel arrives in the United States.

In practical terms, this means that for each eligible postal shipment, the importer or their broker must submit: a registered importer of record number (IOR), a 10-digit HTS tariff classification, a detailed description of the goods, the customs value, the country of origin, and a valid customs bond. Duty payment is made monthly by automatic ACH debit, rather than on delivery.

Background: suspension of de minimis and the transformation of the US postal channel since July 2026

This postponement forms part of the radical transformation of small-parcel processing for the United States that began in 2025. In June 2026, CBP published an interim final rule implementing an indefinite suspension of the de minimis exemption for imports of 800 dollars or less arriving via the international postal network. This suspension ended decades of duty-free treatment for small postal parcels.

This interim rule established a new postal informal entry process for certain goods valued at 2,500 dollars or less entering the United States by international mail. Entry Type 13 is the centrepiece of this new system: it transforms the postal channel from a manually processed physical flow into an electronic data flow processed before arrival.

For global importers, this transformation means the US postal channel now joins the declaration requirements applicable to air, sea and land shipments. There is no longer any simplified processing or “grey area” for small parcels: every commercial postal shipment must be declared with the same rigour as a high-value container.

Voluntary test launched on 22 September: a window to prepare

On 22 September 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection began testing a new electronic informal entry process for international mail via the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). This voluntary test, still ongoing, allows importers and brokers to submit Entry Type 13 declarations ahead of the mandatory deadline.

CBP strongly encourages importers to use this transition period to test the system. Although the mandatory implementation date has been postponed, CBP encourages filers to start using the optional Entry Type 13 process for the informal entry of international postal shipments during this transition period to ensure they are prepared ahead of the new mandatory deadline.

In practical terms, this means the next three months are not a passive reprieve: it is a window to test, identify problems, train teams and adjust processes.

What importers must do before 20 January 2027

The postponement provides an additional 90 days, but the complexity of achieving compliance means importers must act immediately. Here are the priority actions:

Identify affected shipments: Audit your current postal flows to determine which products are subject to Section 201, 232 or 301 tariffs, or under PGA jurisdiction. Any Chinese product subject to Section 301 tariffs, any metal product, or any regulated product (food, cosmetics, medical devices) falls within scope.
Register an importer of record number (IOR): If you do not yet have an IOR number registered with CBP, obtain one immediately via CBP Form 5106. Note: since 18 September 2026, CBP can cancel an IOR number if the information is incomplete or inaccurate.
Obtain a customs bond: Entry Type 13 requires a valid customs bond, even for small shipments. Contact your broker or a bond provider to set up a continuous bond or single-entry bonds.
Check tariff classifications: Ensure all your products have a correct and up-to-date 10-digit HTS classification. Classification errors in Entry Type 13 can lead to customs clearance delays and penalties.
Test the ACE system: Take advantage of the voluntary test period to submit real Entry Type 13 declarations. Identify technical issues, missing data and processes that need adjusting before the mandatory deadline.
Coordinate with your broker or logistics provider: If you use a customs broker or 3PL provider, confirm they are ready to process Entry Type 13 declarations and clarify responsibilities, costs and timeframes.

The extension changes the deadline, but suspends neither customs duties nor the compliance obligation. Importers must use these 90 days to prepare, not to wait.

The extension is not a duty holiday. The de minimis exemption for international mail remains suspended. Duties and other applicable charges may still apply under the rules in force. In other words: products subject to Section 301 tariffs continue to pay those tariffs, regulated products continue to require PGA clearances, and documentary obligations remain in place.

Why CBP granted this postponement: avoiding massive disruption to the postal channel

The postponement comes after months of pressure from the e-commerce and logistics industry, which warned CBP of the risk of massive disruption if the 22 October date were maintained. With only 30 days between the launch of the voluntary test on 22 September and the original mandatory deadline, many importers would not have had time to put in place the necessary systems, processes and partnerships.

CBP acknowledged this risk and granted an additional period to allow for a smoother transition. But the agency also made clear this is not an indefinite postponement: 20 January 2027 is the new firm date, and CBP expects importers to use this period to achieve full compliance.

CBP will continue to provide guidance, resources and direct support to help the trade community prepare for and comply with the new international mail entry requirements. For importers, this means monitoring CBP announcements, taking part in training webinars, and consulting the guides published on CBP.gov.

United States postpones Entry Type 13 obligation for international mail to 20 January 2027: 90-day extension announced yesterday for postal shipments subject to Section 301 tariffs