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Reddit
reddit.com › r/usps › how do i know if an incoming package requires fees (customs duty) to be paid?
r/USPS on Reddit: How do I know if an incoming package requires fees (customs duty) to be paid?
August 16, 2021 -

I have items shipped from Japan through EMS so USPS is handling it. The total value of the package is a little over $1,200 (USD). Is there any way to know whether or I need to pay a fee for customs?

Tracking updated last night to "Expected Delivery on August 16" with this underneath:

Processed Through FacilityISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)

Then today (just a few minute ago), tracking updated again to:

Arrived at USPS Regional Destination FacilityPHILADELPHIA PA DISTRIBUTION CENTER Your item arrived at our PHILADELPHIA PA DISTRIBUTION CENTER destination facility on August 14, 2021 at 7:50 am. The item is currently in transit to the destination.

I'm assuming with this it means that the package has been cleared by customs since it left the ISC in New York but is there a way to find out whether or not I owe a customs fee? Or will I only find out when they attempt a delivery? How (and when) does USPS even tell you whether or not you need to pay for customs?

Edit: My package has been delivered today (August 16) and I thankfully didn't have to pay customs duty.

Discussions

In the USA. If I order something internationally, how/when do I pay customs fees now that the De Minimis had ended?
Not a dumb question at all. Lots of people are confused since the U.S. ended the de minimis. Basically it works two ways now. If the seller ships DDP (duty paid), you’ll pay everything upfront at checkout and the label will show that duties are already covered, so USPS just delivers it like normal. If the seller ships DDU (duty unpaid), nothing gets collected until the package lands in the U.S. Customs clears it, and then USPS or whatever carrier is handling delivery will charge you before you get the box. With USPS that usually means a slip in your mailbox or the carrier asking for payment at the door, while private couriers like FedEx or DHL can send you a link to pay online before they drop it off or you can pay at delivery. Always good to note: Always be extra cautious about delivery links that ask you to pay as there is a lot of mimic phishing attempts that try to look like a DHL or Fedex delivery fee notice. So double check URLs and tracking before putting in your credit card info if you are paying that way. You can’t call customs directly to pay, they don’t deal with individual buyers, so everything goes through the delivery carrier. In short, if you want it to be hassle-free, look for sellers that ship DDP. Otherwise, expect USPS to hold it until you’ve paid the duties. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/shipping
16
0
September 23, 2025
How do I pay customs fee?
Please make sure to read the common questions. If you are posting tracking info don't include your tracking number as it contains personal information. https://www.reddit.com/r/UPS/about/sticky?num=1 I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/UPS
8
0
September 8, 2025
How do I pay import fees?
you will usually get notified through phone, email, text message, or mail, that you need to pay customs fees to the shipping company before the item will be delivered. some private carriers will deliver the item and bill you the customs fees later at their discretion More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Ebay
23
13
August 28, 2025
Are you guys paying for custom fees/duties? And how much?
They reverted the decision for now. So currently there is no fees but if they decide to do it again before it's delivered there will be. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Aliexpress
34
5
February 9, 2025
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UPS
ups.com › us › en › shipping › international-shipping › import-fees
Understanding Import Fees | UPS - United States
September 19, 2025 - These taxes serve various purposes, ... duty at customs before the goods are released. ... The best way to pay fees is online before delivery....
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection
cbp.gov › trade › basic-import-export › internet-purchases
Internet Purchases | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Duty and the processing fee are usually paid at your local post office, where your package is forwarded. Hint: To speed a package through CBP examination at a port's International Mail Branch, the seller should affix a completed CN 22 or CN 23 (U.S. Customs and Border Protection Declaration ...
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DHL
dhl.com › home › logistics advice › export & import advice › all you need to know about us import tax and duties
All-You-Need-to-Know-About-US-Import-Tax-and-Duties
October 26, 2025 - The fee is typically collected by your logistics provider (e.g., DHL Express) and billed to you during customs clearance or prior to delivery.
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Pirate Ship
support.pirateship.com › en › articles › 2154978-what-are-customs-duties-and-import-taxes
What are customs duties and import taxes? | Pirate Ship Support
If the package you've shipped contains products that qualify for your destination country's import taxes, your recipients will be responsible for paying these to their country's customs or tax department to receive the package.
Find elsewhere
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Zipments
blog.zipments.io › blog › understanding-customs-how-to-pay-your-duties
Understanding Customs: How To Pay Your Duties
December 25, 2023 - All duties will need to be paid in USD currency. To pay your duties in the US you can prepare a money order or cheque and mail it to the CBP. You can also visit CBP outlet locations to make a payment, but they will only accept cash, check or ...
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Parcelforce
parcelforce.com › receiving › customs-charge
Pay a Customs Charge for Parcel Deliveries | Parcelforce Worldwide
Received a ‘Fee to pay’ card from us? Pay customs charge fees for your deliveries online with Parcelforce and Royal Mail.
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Wikihow
wikihow.com › finance and business › government › taxes › how to pay u.s. import duties and taxes
How to Pay U.S. Import Duties and Taxes
July 22, 2025 - They'll likely have you look over ... ... Pay your duty deposit. Use pay.gov to pay the amount of duties and fees you've calculated you owe using a direct ACH debit from your bank account....
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UPS
ups.com › us › en › support › international-tools-resources › understanding-customs
Understanding Customs | UPS - United States
We’ve outlined some key details to help you understand import fees as well as the latest tariff and de minimis updates. ... Either the shipper or the receiver will be responsible for payment ...
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Zoll
zoll.de › EN › Private-individuals › Postal_consignments_internet_order › Shipments-from-a-non-EU-country › Duties-and-taxes › Internet-orders › internet-orders_node.html
Customs online - Internet orders
You have to pay the VAT and possible other postal/carrier charges when goods are imported. If the value of a consignment is not more than 150 euros, it is free of customs duties.
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USA Customs Clearance
usacustomsclearance.com › home › importing goods › a guide to u.s. import taxes: duties, tariffs, and other fees
A Guide to U.S. Import Taxes: Duties, Tariffs, and Other Fees | USA Customs Clearance
July 24, 2025 - Import duties can be paid through the ACE system, with assistance from a customs broker, or manually at the port of entry. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about import taxes, including how to find and calculate your duty ...
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection
cbp.gov › travel › international-visitors › know-before-you-visit › customs-duty-information
Customs Duty Information | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Step 6. If your package has been ... clears Customs. If you owe duty, the Postal Service will collect the duty along with a postal handling fee. If a freight service transports your package, they will notify you of its arrival and you must go to their office holding the shipment and complete the CBP entry procedure. If you owe duty or tax, you will need to pay it at that ...
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International Trade Administration
trade.gov › import-tariffs-fees-overview-and-resources
Import Tariffs & Fees Overview and Resources
Use Customs Info Database tariff and taxes look-up tool for finding duties and taxes for shipments to over 170 markets. A tariff or duty (the words are used interchangeably) is a tax levied by governments on the value including freight and insurance of imported products. Different tariffs applied on different products by different countries. National sales and local taxes, and in some instances customs fees, are often charged in addition to the tariff.
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Customs
client.customs.gov.ph › kb › faq.php
Bureau of Customs
Stakeholders may open a ticket thru Customer Care Portal system by using the Help Topic: Order of Payment/ Paymaya (Renewal).
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Bureau of Customs
customs.gov.ph › buying-online0
Buying Online – Bureau of Customs
April 3, 2023 - How is the processing of items valued at more than PHP 10,000? There will be tax due if the value exceeds the de minimis value of PHP 10,000; the rate will depend on the item. It may be paid directly at the customs cashier or via the courier account. Request for receipt after payment...
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Wise
wise.com › us › import-duty
Customs Duty Rates in US: How to Calculate Import Tax
To find out how much you'll need to pay, you'll need to check the commodity code for umbrellas, and apply the import duty rate for that code — 6.5%. Tax will be due on the cost of the goods without shipping, which in this case is $28,000. 6.5% of $28,000 is $1,820. So for the good and customs duty, you'll pay $29,820 in total.