exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

Changes to Shipping Costs and Import Charges for Parcels to the USA

Starting August 29, 2025, the US has ended its $800 "de minimis" exemption for low-value imports via an executive order. This means almost all parcels (except gifts under $100 or personal items under $200 carried by travelers) will now face import duties. 1 Duties are based on the item's country of origin, not where it's shipped from. 2

For Royal Mail business shippers:

• US export services were temporarily withdrawn but replaced by a new "Postal Delivery Duties Paid" (PDDP) option from August 28. 2
• Postage rates remain unchanged, but you'll now pay:
  • Import duties: Calculated by Royal Mail (e.g., 10% of value for UK-origin items; varies by manufacturing country). 2
  • A 50p per parcel handling fee for customs clearance. 2
• Royal Mail handles payment to US Customs and invoices you afterward. 2

Likelihood of import charges: Very high for most parcels, as the exemption is gone—expect duties on anything over the small gift/traveler thresholds. 1 Cards and letters (no customs form needed) are unaffected. 2

This could add 10%+ to your costs depending on item value/origin, so factor it in for US buyers. 2 Check Royal Mail's guide for full details.

Just read about this on Fox News.

Geez... :(

Darklord wrote: 24 Aug 2025 01:27 Just read about this on Fox News.

Geez... :(

Yeah, Iike as if shipping oversea isn't expensive enough already :roll: Its bad enough all the forms and paperwork we have to do already, and which we don't charge for either. People & industry haven't recovered from the whole covid thing yet. Ramping up tax IMHO isn't a great idea right now.

Australia Post has announced it will stop shipping to USA because of this change.

kodak80 wrote: 26 Aug 2025 10:21 Australia Post has announced it will stop shipping to USA because of this change.

That's bad :(

Its getting harder to ship stuff anywhere as time goes on :(

I don't have any major plans for ordering anything *at the moment", but
over the course of any given year, I'll order ST related stuff from all over
the globe.

So yeah...bummer. :(