De minimis duties will be collected through electronic customs entries filed before or when goods arrive, with tighter rules for mail. Three dates matter as of October 2026: January 20, 2027, when electronic Entry Type 13 becomes mandatory for mail subject to Section 201, 232 or 301 duties or partner agency rules; a proposed rule published October 8, 2026 that would extend new filing and bond requirements; and July 1, 2027, when the law ends the $800 exemption. Today’s collection methods are a transition, not the final system.
Key Takeaways
- Entry Type 13 becomes mandatory for covered mail on January 20, 2027.
- A proposed rule would add filing, carrier data and bond requirements; comments close December 7, 2026.
- The statutory end of the $800 exemption is July 1, 2027.
- Plan entries, bonds and pricing now, with a licensed customs broker.
What Is Coming, and How Firm It Is
| Date | Change | Who it affects | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Now to January 19, 2027 | Mail entries continue under current procedures; Entry Type 13 optional | Postal shippers and filers | In force |
| January 20, 2027 | Entry Type 13 mandatory for informal entry of mail subject to Section 201, 232 or 301 duties or partner agency rules | Mail filers, including for many Chinese-made goods | Announced by CBP |
| December 7, 2026 | Comment deadline on the “Low-Value Shipments” proposed rule | Anyone filing informal entries | Proposed |
| Not yet set | New electronic mail entry type, revised informal entry filing, extra carrier data and bonds for certain informal entries | Carriers, brokers, importers | Proposed |
| July 1, 2027 | Statute strikes the $800 exemption | All commercial low-value imports | Enacted law |
Status as of October 16, 2026; confirm against the official notice before you ship.
Mail: Entry Type 13 Becomes Mandatory
CBP first set October 22, 2026 as the date for mandatory electronic filing of covered mail. On October 14 it extended that to January 20, 2027, giving filers 90 more days. From that date, informal entry of covered postal shipments must be filed in ACE through Entry Type 13; otherwise formal entry is required. Entry Type 13 asks for data such as the importer number, 10-digit HTS codes, country of origin, value, duty owed and the postal tracking number, backed by a customs bond.
The October 2026 Proposed Rule
CBP’s “Low-Value Shipments” proposed rule would modify filing requirements for informal entries of goods valued at $2,500 or less, create a new electronic informal entry type for mail, add a data element for carriers on mail shipments, and impose bonding requirements for certain informal entries. CBP’s release says it proposes the new entry and data requirements for nearly all international mail packages, other than letters and flats. None of this is final. The text may change after comments close on December 7, 2026.
July 1, 2027: The Statutory End
The 2025 law removes the $800 allowance from Section 321 on July 1, 2027. CBP has said the current suspension’s effects belong to the executive orders until then and to the statute afterward. For collection, little changes on that day: parcels already pay duty. What changes is that the duty-free route cannot simply be switched back on by executive action.
How Charger Sellers Can Prepare
- Move single-unit mail shipments to courier or bulk freight if you cannot file Entry Type 13 by January 2027.
- Make sure every SKU has a confirmed HTS code and origin record; see our US customs guide for EV chargers.
- Budget for bond and broker costs on informal entries, and reflect them in pricing. Our post on OEM charger unit cost drivers shows where they fit.
- Follow the final rule and adjust contracts; our FOB vs DDP guide covers who carries the change.
EVDANCE supports importers who consolidate orders into bulk shipments, with export documents prepared per order. Ask about portable models such as the EV-ACS4005T through our contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will carriers still collect duty at the door?
Carriers and brokers often pay CBP and bill the importer. The proposed rule may change filing and bond duties, so watch the final text.
Can I use Entry Type 13 now?
Yes. CBP encourages filers to use the optional process during the transition.
Is the proposed rule law yet?
No. It is a notice of proposed rulemaking. Only a final rule published in the Federal Register will bind importers.
Related Reading
- Importing EV Chargers Into the US: Customs, HTS and Section 301
- Selling Portable EV Chargers Online: Listing and Compliance Checklist
- What Drives the Unit Cost of an OEM EV Charger
