Royal Mail first international postal operator to launch new services to send goods to the USA

From today customers can use Royal Mail’s new postal delivery duties paid (PDDP) services. This follows the US executive order on 30 July which states that goods valued at $800 or less will no longer be exempt from import duties and taxes from Friday 29 August.

Iain Johnson, Managing Director International, at Royal Mail said: “We have been working hard with the relevant US authorities and our international partners to adapt our services in a very short timeframe. Our UK-based customers, whether consumers or businesses, can now send items to the US through all of our usual channels, including online and the Post Office, in time for the new customs requirements which come into effect on Friday 29 August.”

Now, with just a few exceptions, all goods entering the USA will attract duties which will need to be paid to the US Customs Authorities, a process that will be handled by Royal Mail.  This is a change to the previous rules where all goods under a value of $800 could enter the US duty free.

For business (account) customers:

• Duties will be calculated applicable to where the items, being sent to the US, were manufactured, and paid to US Customs. Royal Mail will invoice customers for duties we have paid on their behalf.
• There will be a handling fee per parcel to cover the additional costs associated with providing clearance services into the US.

For consumers and small businesses:

• Postage can be purchased online or at a Post Office.
• Duties on items will be calculated and collected at the point of buying the postage.
• Consumers sending gifts worth less than $100 will not have to pay duty.
• Customers who only send personal correspondence are not affected by the changes. They can continue to send items to the US, without a customs declaration, as they do now.

Further information for our larger business customers can be found here: www.royalmail.com/usabusinessupdates

Information for consumers and small businesses can be accessed here:  www.royalmail.com/usapersonalupdates

Source: International Distribution Services