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Shipping to the US?

Please note the new rules

From now on, stricter import rules apply to parcels sent to the United States. You will pay import costs for every parcel that enters the US, even if it is worth less than € 800.
New york skyline met zonsondergang

What does the new regulation mean?

The US Postal Service can no longer handle the clearance and release of packages at this time. Therefore, no packages can be sent to the USA for the time being, except for gifts up to a maximum value of $100 (€80) and documents.

For this, mandatory documentation (in English) is required for each shipment:

  • Detailed description of the contents and value of the products

  • 10-digit HS code
  • Country of origin of the goods (this is the country where the product was made/assembled)

Wat is een geschenk precies?

Een geschenk is een goed wat je iemand geeft waarbij geen financiële transactie aan zit. Met andere woorden, er wordt geen geld voor gevraagd. Je kunt dus prima een boek kopen bij de boekwinkel en deze zelf opsturen als cadeau. Maar je kunt niet iets bij een webshop bestellen en de webshop het laten versturen. Want ondanks dat jij er dan voor betaald hebt, ziet de Amerikaanse douane dit toch als transactie.

What exactly is a gift?

A gift is an item that you give to someone without a financial transaction. In other words, no money is asked for. You can buy a book at a bookstore and send it yourself as a gift. But you cannot order something from a web shop and have the web shop send it. Because even though you paid for it, the US customs still sees this as a transaction.

What is an HS code?

An HS code (Harmonized System code) is a 10-digit code used by customs to classify goods. The code informs customs about the type of goods being imported. Customs use the HS code to calculate the import duties.

You can find an HS code here:
https://tarief.douane.nl/ite-tariff-public/#/taric/nomenclature/sbt

How do I send to the USA?

  • Go to the Online Shipping Flow via the website or the PostNL app (tab Send).

  • Choose the United States as the destination country.
  • Choose gift (maximum value $100) or documents.

  • Fill in the customs declaration.

At the bottom of the page, the customs declaration is ready for you. Fill it in as well.

Ensure a detailed description of the contents and (purchase) value of the products.

Pay and drop off your package

  • Pay online and print the shipping label. Drop off the package at a PostNL point