Previous Message

DDP: Read this section, please:

"Sec. 3.  Duty Rates for International Postal Shipments.  (a)  Transportation carriers delivering shipments to the United States through the international postal network, or other parties if qualified in lieu of such transportation carriers, must collect and remit duties to CBP using the methodology described in either subsection (b) or (c) of this section.  Each transportation carrier shall apply the same methodology across all covered shipments during any given period but may change its methodology no more than once per calendar month, or on another schedule determined to be appropriate by CBP, upon providing at least 24 hours’ notice to CBP.

(b)  A duty equal to the effective IEEPA tariff rate applicable to the country of origin of the product shall be assessed on the value of each dutiable postal item (package) containing goods entered for consumption.

(c)  A specific duty shall be assessed on each package containing goods entered for consumption, based on the effective IEEPA tariff rate applicable to the country of origin of the product as follows:

(i)    Countries with an effective IEEPA tariff rate of less than 16 percent:  $80 per item;

(ii)   Countries with an effective IEEPA tariff rate between 16 and 25 percent (inclusive):  $160 per item; and

(iii)  Countries with an effective IEEPA rate above 25 percent:  $200 per item.

(d)  For all international postal shipments subject to the methodologies described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the country of origin of the article must be declared to CBP.

(e)  The specific duty methodology provided for in subsection (c) of this section shall be available for transportation carriers to select for a period of 6 months from the effective date of this order.  After such time all shipments to the United States through the international postal network must comply with the ad valorem duty methodology in subsection (b) of this section."

Transportation carriers must collect and remit duty to CBP, and this is for postal shipments. That makes it DDP. As I wrote, seller collects duty from buyer, then pays it to their transportation carrier, who must remit it to CBP. That is mandatory DDP.

Whether foreign postal service, or common carrier, the above is now the rule from August 29th onward. See the part about using the postal network, and other carriers if qualified, etc. In item (e) note that the transportation carriers may select the payment method (thus, how they charge you) so, yes...exactly. Your friend was given no choice. It is not the buyer's choice. It is the transportation carrier's. Which is what I wrote... Obviously, the common carriers are jumping the gun, and doing this already. It has been in effect for China since May 2nd; they've been doing this with those shipments already. It looks like they have then just started applying it to others in advance.

Shipper declaring country of origin:

"(d)  For all international postal shipments subject to the methodologies described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the country of origin of the article must be declared to CBP."

As I wrote, with de minimis, no country of origin was required. Now, it is required on the form, and will be used to assess the tariff.

So, there is a lot to unpack. It is complicated, thus confusing, then easily garbled. However, one starts by reading what is written. While I appreciate your previous experiences, things have changed now, so what is written is what will be happening. Section 3 alone covers the bulk of what I earlier posted.

Yes, this will reduce buying direct from overseas. I agree with you there.