Shipping to the USA and customs duty - when do you have to pay?

Do you want to send a parcel to the United States and wonder if the recipient will have to pay customs duty? This is one of the most common questions when sending a shipment from Poland to the USA. Many people worry about additional fees that might appear upon collecting the parcel.

The good news is that in many cases, you don't have to pay customs duty at all. However, it all depends on the value of the shipment and how you declare it. From this guide, you will learn when customs duty applies to shipments to the USA and how to send a parcel to the States in the simplest way.

When do we pay customs duty for a parcel to the USA?

Customs duty may apply when the value of the shipment exceeds a specific limit or when the parcel is not declared correctly. Therefore, it is very important to fill in the shipment details correctly. This primarily concerns the type of parcel and its value.

If you are sending a private parcel from Poland to the USA, it is worth marking it as a gift. You can do this in the registration form, in the "Shipment Details" section. For the US customs office, this is information that the parcel is not related to any sale.

A gift to the USA and customs duty - when is there no duty?

In the United States, a very simple rule applies to the calculation of customs duty:

Gifts valued up to 100 USD sent to one person per day are exempt from customs duty and tax.

What does "to one person per day" mean? It means that the same recipient should not receive shipments marked as gifts with a total value exceeding 100 USD on a given day. If this limit is exceeded, the customs exemption will no longer apply.

Example 1:
You are sending a parcel with clothes and sweets for your sister in Chicago. The total value of the gifts is 80 USD. If you declare the shipment correctly, customs duty should not be applied.

Example 2:
You are sending a parcel with gifts for your sister and her child. The cosmetics for her are worth 70 USD, and the toy for him is 50 USD. In this situation, you can also avoid customs duty, as long as you properly assign the individual items to the specific recipients. Neither of the gifts exceeds the 100 USD value per person.

Example 3:
You are sending a parcel with clothes for your sister. Their value is 130 USD. Even if you mark the shipment as a gift, you will have to pay customs duty because the 100 USD limit per person will be exceeded.

How to send a parcel to the USA without stress? A step-by-step guide

Sending a parcel to the States doesn't have to be complicated. You can go through the entire process in a few simple steps:

Step 1. Get an online quote for your shipment
Go to the website:
https://www.meestpost.com/en/pl/delivery-from-pl-to-usa
Enter the weight of the parcel and basic details to check the shipping cost.

Step 2. Complete the shipment details
In the form, you will find the "Shipment Details" section. If you are sending a private parcel, select the "gift" option.

Step 3. Prepare the parcel
Pack the contents in a cardboard box and secure them well so they do not move during transport.

Step 4. Send the parcel from an InPost Parcel Locker (Paczkomat®)
You don't need to print a label. After registering the parcel in the system, you will receive a sending code, which you enter at the Parcel Locker.

Step 5. Wait for delivery in the USA
After arriving in the States, the parcel is taken over by a FedEx courier, who delivers it directly to the recipient's door. The minimum delivery time is about 6 working days.

Dimensions, weight, and requirements for a parcel to the USA

When sending a parcel from Poland to the USA, specific limits apply. Your shipment should meet the following requirements:

• maximum weight: 25 kg

• maximum dimensions: 64 × 41 × 38 cm

• packaging: cardboard box

Remember to match the size of the box to the size of the contents. Packaging that is too large can make transport difficult and increase the risk of damage.

Price list for shipping to the USA

The price of a shipment from Poland to the USA depends mainly on the weight and dimensions of the parcel. Therefore, the best solution is a quick online quote. In a few seconds, you can check the shipping cost for your parcel.

You can find the current price list here: https://www.meestpost.com/en/pl/price-list 

Tracking a parcel to the USA

After sending the shipment, you will receive a unique tracking number. With it, you can check at any time:

• where the parcel is located,

• whether it has cleared customs,

• when it will be delivered.

You can monitor the status of the shipment on the carrier's website in real-time.

How to properly secure a parcel to the United States?

A well-packed parcel is the basis for safe shipping. It is worth taking a moment to prepare it properly. To do this, go through this short checklist:

• Use a sturdy cardboard box that fits the contents.

• Wrap delicate items in several layers of bubble wrap.

• Fill empty spaces with paper or foam.

• Securely seal the box with strong packing tape.

• This will prevent the contents from moving during transport.

What can and cannot be sent to the USA?

Remember that not all products can be legally sent to the United States. Restrictions apply, for example, to goods such as

• alcohol,

• tobacco products,

• dangerous goods.

Before sending a parcel, always check the exact list of prohibited items. This will help you avoid problems during customs clearance.

Send a parcel to the USA quickly and without complications

If you remember the correct declaration and the gift value limit, you can often avoid customs duty when sending a parcel to the United States. You can complete the entire shipping process online. From an InPost Parcel Locker (Paczkomat®), it will travel to the USA, and the final stage of delivery will be handled by a FedEx courier.

If you want to check the cost of your shipment and send it right now, visit the Meest Post website