Struggling with higher small parcel costs to the US?

If you've been shipping directly to US customers, you've probably noticed a rise in delivery costs recently.
That's because of a new USPS tax and customs adjustment, which is reshaping how e-commerce sellers handle cross-border fulfillment.

Let's break down what's changing — and how to stay competitive.

What's happening: USPS tax policy changes explained

Under the new adjustment, direct-mail small parcels entering the US now face:

• Higher import tax thresholds for certain categories

• Stricter customs clearance requirements

• Rising USPS operational fees on low-value parcels

In short, if you're relying on direct shipping from China to US customers, your last-mile cost is going up.

Industry Impacts — Who Feels It the Most?

🧴 Beauty & Skincare

Lightweight but high-frequency shipments = biggest impact.

Sellers should consider bulk shipping to US warehouses to cut per-unit costs.

👗 Fashion & Accessories

Many SKUs, frequent returns.

Local fulfillment and real-time stock tracking reduce customs re-entry fees.

🍳 Home & Kitchen

Medium-weight packages are now taxed higher.

Group shipments and branded packaging improve both cost efficiency and brand image.

🧸 Toys & Gifts (Especially Holiday Season)

Peak season orders may face clearance delays.

Sellers can pre-stock inventory in US warehouses before Christmas and Black Friday.

What sellers can do now

To offset the cost increase, smart sellers are already switching strategies:

• Use local US warehouses for bulk inventory (faster, tax-efficient)

• Consolidate shipments to reduce per-unit customs handling fees

• Choose hybrid fulfillment — mix direct mail and domestic restock

• Partner with experienced 3PLs who can navigate new customs rules

At HQ Cloud Warehousing, we help brands adjust quickly — with multi-country fulfillment, no MOQ, and custom packaging options that still keep margins healthy.

Real example: How one seller avoided the price shock

A skincare brand we work with used to ship every order directly to US buyers.
After the USPS change, their parcel cost jumped 18% overnight.

We helped them:

• Pre-stock 300 units in our US fulfillment center

• Simplify customs paperwork through bulk clearance

• Keep 3–5 day delivery times with real-time inventory sync

Result?
Their average order profit stayed the same — and customer satisfaction rose.

FAQs: USPS Tax and Cross-Border Fulfillment

1. Will this affect all shipments to the US?
Mostly yes — especially small parcels under $800 declared value.

2. How long will customs clearance take now?
Expect 1–2 extra days for inspection, unless you're using bonded warehouse entry.

3. Is it cheaper to switch to local US fulfillment?
In most cases, yes — especially if your monthly volume exceeds 100 orders.

4. Can I still use ePacket or similar channels?
They still work, but rates are rising and tracking might slow during peak season.

5. What's the best way to stay compliant?
Work with a fulfillment partner who handles tax filing, declaration, and labeling in one system.

The USPS tax policy adjustment may raise costs —
but it's also pushing the industry toward smarter, localized fulfillment.

If you act early, you can turn this policy shift into an advantage.

HQ Cloud Warehousing can help you build a stable, tax-efficient logistics plan for your US orders — before the holiday rush hits.

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