Overview

Japan Post announced that, effective April 14 2026, it will once again accept parcels destined for the United States after an eight‑month suspension. The pause began in late August 2025 when the United States ended its de minimis exemption, forcing all non‑document shipments over US $100 to have duties prepaid. The reinstatement restores a vital outbound channel for Japanese merchants who sell to U.S. consumers.

Key Points

• Eight‑month interruption — Japan Post halted acceptance of U.S.–bound merchandise valued above $100 on August 27 2025 and will resume the service on April 14 2026, marking an eight‑month gap that forced many sellers to seek alternative carriers. During this period, any parcel listed at more than $100 was rejected at the counter, causing order cancellations and delayed deliveries.

• U.S. de minimis policy reversal — A presidential directive issued on July 30 2025 eliminated the previous $800 tax‑free threshold, reducing the exemption to documents and gifts under $100. The change meant that every commercial shipment above that amount now required customs duties to be settled before the item left Japan.

• Mandatory duty pre‑payment — For parcels exceeding $100, sellers must remit the applicable customs duty through a CBP‑certified “Qualified Party” application prior to drop‑off. The payment is linked to the parcel’s tracking number, and the post office will only accept the item after confirming the transaction.

• Exempt categories remain unchanged — Items classified as documents or personal gifts valued at $100 or less continue to qualify for duty‑free treatment and do not need to go through the pre‑payment workflow. This preserves a simple pathway for low‑value shipments such as invoices, manuals, or small promotional items.

• Limited processing locations — Only designated Japan Post branches will handle the prepaid shipments, and staff at those sites are instructed to scan the payment proof before accepting the package. Sellers using non‑participating offices will still be turned away for parcels over $100, so locating an authorized branch is essential.