How to ship purchases home from abroad without surprises

The merchant offers to ship the bag home, and the suitcase problem disappears. It reappears as a customs bill. In 2026, mailed purchases no longer enter the United States duty-free under the old $800 threshold. CBP's suspension of de minimis treatment covers all shipping modes, postal included. Price the duties before you hand anything over. Shipping home is a customs transaction, not a hotel favor. The rules differ depending on whether the goods travel with you or follow you. The follow-you math changed in 2026. The mechanics, the paperwork, and the insurance trap most travelers miss sit below. What changed for mailed packages in 2026 The duty-free floor for small parcels is gone for now. CBP's e-commerce FAQ states that the de minimis suspension applies to goods valued at $800 or less, arriving by all modes. That includes the international postal network. The agency also put a new mail informal entry process into effect on July 24, 2026.

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