Sending to the USA

Following a directive from the US government at the beginning of the month from 29 August, all goods entering the USA now have taxes applied, the previous de minimis of below $800 no longer applies. There is no change to letters and documents, they can be sent as normal. Gifts sent via the postal system under a value of $100 or €85 can also continue to be sent as normal with no change.

From 29 August, it will be up to the sending country/provider to collect the taxes from the receiving customer in the USA before any goods can enter and be delivered in the USA. 

What does this mean for An Post customers?

• Customers sending letters documents only – there is no change and will continue to be delivered as normal.

• Customers sending gifts – gifts with a value of $100 dollars or less (€85) – there is no change and will continue to be delivered as normal. 

• Customers sending gifts over $100 – taxes of minimum 15% to the value of the item will now be applied & will have to be paid by the receiving customer before it can be delivered.

• Business Customers sending sale of goods of any value – taxes of the country of origin of the item will be applied and will have to be paid by the receiving customer before it can be delivered.

While some other European posts are turning off destination USA for a period of time, An Post has worked on a solution to allow goods to continue to travel and taxes be collected by the recipient in the USA. 

What should customers do now?

If you are a business customer sending eCommerce items or a customer sending a gift over $100, you must now capture the email address of the recipient in the USA. This will be used to contact the customer and request payment before the item can be delivered. Customers should continue to complete all other necessary electronic data capture to the USA as standard practice.

For business customers using the post office, they should use Click & Post to complete the necessary data.

What is the new process for sending eCommerce goods and gifts over $100 dollars to the USA and its territories?

• The recipient customer in the USA must pay the taxes before the item can be delivered. 

• An Post now asks that for these items, the recipient email is provided as a mandatory field. 

• An Post International Logistics Partner will contact the USA recipient and request payment of taxes, along with an administration fee.

• A time frame of 5 calendar days applies for the customer to pay. 

• Once paid, the eCommerce parcel will be delivered to the USA. 

• If not paid, the item will be returned to the sending customer. 

• No credit will be due to the sending customer in this instance.

What do customers who are sending eCommerce goods and gifts over $100 dollars to the USA and its territories need to do differently today?

1. Inform their USA customers/recipients that taxes will be due on their purchase before the item can be delivered & to expect an email from An Post requesting payment. 

2. Capture their USA customer/recipients email address and if possible mobile phone number and provide in An Post electronic forms along with all other necessary data.