U.S. Shipping & Tariff FAQs – Effective August 29,2025
We understand that obtaining your medication reliably and affordably is of the utmost importance. Due to new rule from the U.S. government , all medication orders shipped to the United States by mail are now subject to U.S. import duties (a form of tax).
What this means for you: Your personal medication orders are no longer guaranteed to be duty-free. All international mail shipments, including your prescriptions, are now subject to U.S. import duties.
As your trusted supplier, our primary goal is to ensure the security of your medication and transparency in our costs. To avoid delays or rejection at the border, we now make sure all required duties are handled in advance. Below, you'll find answers to all your questions about these new duties and how they impact your order.
- What is the “de minimis” exemption and what changed?
- Until August 29, 2025, most international packages shipped to the U.S. by mail and valued under $800 USD were exempt from duties and tariffs under a rule known as the “de minimis exemption.” As of August 29, 2025, the U.S. government has suspended that exemption. Now, all mail shipments, regardless of their value, may be subject to import duties based on the declared value of the contents.
White House Executive Order (click here)
- Why did the U.S. remove this exemption?
- The U.S. government cited several reasons: to close loopholes used to avoid paying tariffs, to reduce the flow of unregulated goods (including controlled substances), and to create a consistent tariff system for all international mail.
White House Fact Sheet (click here)
- When did these changes take effect?
- The changes took effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on August 29, 2025. Any package entering the U.S. by mail after this time is no longer exempt and may be assessed duties—even if the value is under $800 USD.
CBP Media Release (click here)
- How much are the new duties for mail orders?
- Duties are now calculated as a percentage of your order’s declared value, based on U.S. customs regulations.
For example, if a medication is valued at $100 USD and the country of origin is Canada, the applicable tariff rate may be 35%, resulting in a duty of $35 USD.
Tariff rates vary depending on both the type of product and the country it was manufactured in, so the exact amount owed may differ from one order to another.
Canada Post Update (click here)
- Are medications exempt from these new duties?
- No. Even if your medication is for personal use and shipped by mail, it is not exempt from these new duty requirements. The U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Customs now require all mail shipments—including pharmaceuticals—to have duties calculated and paid in advance. CBP Medication Import Rules
- Why am I being charged if I’ve never had to pay duties before?
- Because the U.S. changed the law. Even if your past orders were under $800 and previously entered without any duties, the new rules require all international mail shipments to go through full customs assessment.
- Will this affect my delivery time?
- There may be minor delays as postal systems and customs offices adjust to the new rules.
However, because we ensure duties are paid before shipping, your package should continue to arrive with minimal disruption.
- Are any packages still exempt from these new charges?
- Only a limited category of items—such as certain humanitarian, diplomatic, or official government shipments—may be exempt. Prescription medications sent by mail are not exempt, regardless of value.
- What happens if duties aren't paid in advance?
- If U.S. duties are not prepaid, the U.S. Postal Service will not release your package. In most cases, the shipment may be returned to sender or disposed of by customs. That’s why we ensure all duties are handled properly in advance.
- Can I see a breakdown of the costs?
- Yes. When we call to verify and process your order, we’ll let you know the exact amount of U.S. duty you’ll be charged.
Your invoice will clearly show a full breakdown, including:
- The price of your medication
- Shipping charges
- Any applicable U.S. duties or processing fees
- Why is there a different tariff rate depending on the country of origin?
- The U.S. applies different tariff rates to different countries based on trade agreements, tariff schedules, and reciprocal policies. For example, some countries may face higher duties under Section 301 or IEEPA-based trade actions.
- If I pick up my order in Canada, do I still have to pay the U.S. tariff?
- No. U.S. tariffs only apply when a product is shipped into the United States through a postal or courier system.
If you pick up your order in Canada, there is no U.S. duty charged at the time of purchase, since the product never enters the U.S. mail or customs system.
However, if you personally bring the product across the border, it may be subject to U.S. Customs inspection at the port of entry. In most cases:
- If the value is under your personal exemption limit (typically $800 USD for most travelers entering the U.S. after more than 48 hours), you may not owe any duty.
- If you exceed your exemption limit, or if the item is regulated (e.g. certain medications), you may be required to declare it and pay duty or provide supporting documentation (such as a prescription).
Always check current CBP traveler guidelines. (click here)
|
|