CBP Proposes Tighter Rules for Low-Value Shipments: Five Changes Direct-Ship Sellers Should Know

What happened

On October 8, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published a proposed rule titled “Low-Value Shipments” in the Federal Register (Doc. 2026-20650; Docket USCBP-2026-0298). It covers informal entries for goods valued at $2,500 or less.

Background: the $800 de minimis exemption has been suspended since August 2025, and under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act it ends on July 1, 2027.

This is a proposal, not a final rule. Comments are due December 7, 2026.

Key changes

1. Electronic, up-front filing. Informal entries must be filed electronically; type 11 entries must be filed on or before the date of importation, not within 15 days after arrival.
2. New entry type 13 for mail. A new electronic entry type would replace the current postal informal entry process; testing began September 22, 2026.
3. More data. Filers must report a “Final Deliver-To Party” (where different from the ultimate consignee), the shipper/sender, and a UPU S-10 tracking number.
4. Unentered mail treated as abandoned. Mail not properly entered within 15 days would be treated as voluntarily abandoned and may be destroyed or returned.
5. Bonds and brokers. Type 11 and 13 filers need an entry bond; consignees that are not owners or purchasers (foreign posts, USPS, forwarders, carriers) would need a licensed customs broker to act as importer of record.

What this means for cross-border sellers

• Direct-ship small parcels keep getting costlier and more regulated. If you still ship small parcels from China directly to U.S. consumers, confirm filing methods and costs with your logistics provider now.
• Sender information becomes more visible. Reporting sender and tracking data for every parcel makes goods easier to trace, which also raises the chance that infringing goods are detained or traced by rights holders.
• Warehouse models gain ground. Bulk shipments entered formally into U.S. warehouses are less affected by this proposal.

Our suggestions

• Settle your filing approach for the July 1, 2027 transition with your logistics provider now
• Use the moment to review your catalog for IP risk before more traceable shipments lead to detentions or enforcement
• Submit comments through regulations.gov by December 7 if the proposal affects you

Sources

• Federal Register: Low-Value Shipments (2026-20650, CBP proposed rule)