For our loyal US clients, we have tried to clarify the changes to import regulations that the US administration has implemented. Please see below.

USA Duties & Taxes — An Post → USPS (Effective 29 August 2025)

To provide full transparency for our US clients: the United States has suspended the long-standing US$800 de minimis exemption. All Irish Pens parcels delivered in the USA via An Post with local delivery by USPS are now dutiable under new federal rules.

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What you will be asked to pay in the USA

• An ad valorem duty of ~15% on the product value (for EU-origin pens such as ours).
  Example: on a €120 pen, the ad valorem duty is approximately €18 (converted to USD at CBP’s rate on entry).
• Or a flat US$80 duty per item (temporary postal option that USPS may elect for a given month)

Important: The ad valorem duty applies to the item value declared, not to shipping/postage.

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Who collects the duty and when?

USPS or its designated duty-collection partner will contact the recipient in the USA and request payment before delivery. Once payment is made, the parcel is released for final delivery.

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Why does the amount sometimes differ?

USPS must apply the same duty method to all postal parcels for a calendar month. In some months, they may use the temporary flat US$80 method; in other months, they may use the ~15% ad valorem method. After the initial transition period, only the ad valorem method will be used.

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What we need from you at checkout

• A valid email and mobile number for the US recipient so USPS (or partner) can send the duty payment link promptly.

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Gifts & exemptions

Retail purchases from Irish Pens are not treated as private gifts under US rules, so the retail gift allowance does not apply.

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Policy effective date: 29 August 2025. This page will be updated if USPS or CBP issue new guidance.