24-hour hotline : 23 922 922
e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk
Ref. :EIC 111/3
EIC 111/3/13
25 June 2026
(updated on 9 July 2026)
Dear Sirs,
Further to Commercial Information Circular (CIC) No. 184/2026 dated 23 February 2026 on the US’ continuation of the suspension of duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value shipments globally, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on 24 June 2026 published two interim final rules to amend its regulations to implement an indefinite suspension of the de minimis administrative exemption for imports valued at US$800 or less arriving through the international postal network as well as via all modes other than through the international postal network, and establish a new postal informal entry process for certain merchandise entering the US through the mail environment.
2.On 30 July 2025, the US President signed Executive Order 14324 suspending duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value shipments globally effective from 29 August 2025 and announcing duty rates for international postal shipments. On 20 February 2026, the US President signed Executive Order 14388 announcing the continuation of the suspension of duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value shipments globally and the revised duty rate for international postal shipments effective from 24 February 2026. A duty equal to the rate provided in Proclamation 11012 of 20 February 2026 titled “Imposing a Temporary Import Surcharge to Address Fundamental International Payments Problems” shall be assessed on the value of each dutiable postal item containing goods entered for consumption. This duty rate shall be assessed until the expiration date of the temporary import surcharge established by Proclamation 11012 of 20 February 2026, or until the effective date of the new entry process for postal shipments established by the US CBP, whichever date occurs first. Shipments sent through the international postal network that would otherwise qualify for the de minimis exemption shall pass free of any duties except those specified above. On the other hand, all relevant shipments except those sent through the international postal network shall be subject to all applicable duties, taxes, fees, exactions, and charges.
Mail Shipments and New Postal Informal Entry Process
3.On 24 June 2026, the US CBP published an interim final rule in the Federal Register (FR) to implement in US CBP regulations an indefinite suspension of the de minimis administrative exemption for merchandise valued at US$800 or less and imported by one person on one day arriving through the international postal network, and establish a new process for merchandise valued at US$2,500 or less entering the US through the mail environment, including shipments that would previously have been eligible for the de minimis exemption.
4.The new postal informal entry process provided for in this rulemaking is available only to shipments of merchandise valued at US$2,500 or less, that are sent to the US via mail, and are classifiable only in Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) chapters 1-97. Other merchandises such as those subject to quota, antidumping or countervailing duties orders, any duties imposed under chapters 98 and 99 of the HTSUS are ineligible to use the new informal postal entry process. Such merchandise must instead use formal entry procedures. This interim final rule is effective on 24 July 2026, except for importations not over US$800 in value, which is effective on 24 June 2026. The compliance date for formal entry for specified mail shipments is on 22 October 2026.
Merchandise Arriving Through All Modes Other Than the International Postal Network
5.On 24 June 2026, the US CBP issued another interim final rule in the FR to amend its regulations to implement an indefinite suspension of the de minimis administrative exemption for imports valued at US$800 or less arriving via all modes other than through the international postal network. This indefinite suspension means that all entries of merchandise valued at US$800 or less arriving through all modes other than the international postal network must utilise formal or informal entry procedures. This interim final rule is effective on 24 June 2026.
6.For further details, please refer to the FR notices and the US CBP’s message:
FR notices (24 June 2026)
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-24/pdf/2026-12669.pdf
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-24/pdf/2026-12670.pdf
US CBP’s Cargo Systems Messaging Service Message - Updated Global Guidance for International Mail (8 July 2026)
https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-41fa7f0?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2
7.For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact us at telephone number 2398 5405.
Yours faithfully,
(Miss Kwany KOU)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry
Note: While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.