The US Postal Service (USPS) launched Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) on 30 January 2026, enabling shippers to prepay import duties, taxes and fees upfront. The service cuts surprise costs for recipients and speeds cross-border delivery.
Built to tackle rising tariffs and the end of US de minimis exemptions, DDP targets three markets first: Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom. Expansion to more destinations is planned.
What USPS Delivered Duty Paid Does
DDP lets senders prepay all import charges at the time of mailing. Recipients face zero surprise fees when their package arrives. The shipper handles duties, taxes and destination-country requirements before the box leaves US soil.
The service is available for three USPS products:
- Priority Mail Express International (PMEI) – 3-5 business days to many major markets
- Priority Mail International (PMI) – 6-10 business days
- First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS) – packages up to 4 pounds and $400 value
All three services reach approximately 180 countries worldwide. DDP adds a prepayment layer that removes friction at the recipient’s door.
How to Book USPS DDP
Shippers can purchase DDP through multiple channels:
- Retail service counters
- Click-N-Ship online portal
- USPS APIs
- Global Shipping Software (GSS)
The service is not available for PostalOne! permit mailers or shippers who create their own manifests and labels without USPS software or APIs. USPS wants control over the prepayment workflow to ensure compliance.
Why USPS Built This Now
Foreign-country tariffs on outbound US items have increased. The US de minimis exemption – which allowed low-value shipments to enter duty-free – is ending. Recipients began refusing packages when hit with unexpected import bills. Shippers faced abandoned parcels and return costs.
“USPS Delivered Duty Paid enables the sender to prepay import duties, taxes, and fees under the destination country’s requirements at the time of mailing.”
– USPS official filing
By prepaying duties upfront, shippers reduce rejection risk. Recipients know the full delivered cost before the parcel ships. Fewer returns mean better yield for cross-border sellers.
DDP Fee Structure and Third-Party Costs
USPS is charging $0 for the DDP facilitation fee at launch. A third-party service fee applies to calculate and collect import charges, but the exact cost was not disclosed in filings.
USPS told the Postal Regulatory Commission in November that adding a fee on top of import duties could make the service too expensive and suppress volume. The initial zero-fee approach aims to drive adoption.
“However, as customs requirements are likely to evolve, the Postal Service requires flexibility to increase the fee to, among other things, cover any costs that are required to implement new payment solutions.”
– USPS filing to Postal Regulatory Commission
The fee structure may change as customs rules shift and USPS monitors cost recovery.
Price Changes Across International Services
Alongside DDP, USPS implemented price increases for international competitive services on 18 January 2026, following Postal Regulatory Commission Order No. 9405 issued 19 December 2025.
Price adjustments include:
- Priority Mail Express International: 5.9% average increase
- Priority Mail International: 5.9% average increase
- First-Class Package International Service: 5.9% average increase
- International Priority Airmail: 5.9% increase
- M-bags (Direct Sacks of Printed Matter): 44.0% increase
Extra service fees also changed. International insurance coverage up to $200 remains free. Additional insurance starting above $200 will cost $13.85, with maximum coverage of $5,000 (varies by country). Customs clearance and delivery fees rose to $9.35 per dutiable item. Certificate of Mailing for individual articles is now $2.40.
Country Group Changes
USPS shifted country group assignments for French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Reunion, adjusting Foreign Office of Exchange Codes. The moves reflect updated customs and routing requirements for French overseas regions.
What This Means for Freight Forwarders
DDP gives SME forwarders a fast, low-cost tool to quote cross-border ecommerce shipments with full landed cost visibility. No spreadsheets. No email chains to calculate duties. USPS handles the prepayment layer.
Compare USPS DDP against courier options in one portal. Lock rates, book direct and track milestones in real time. Your clients see delivered cost upfront. Fewer returns. Better margin.
USPS DDP may not be available at all locations or through all payment channels initially. Check availability for your volume and workflow before committing capacity.
How USPS DDP Compares to Courier Services
UPS launched Global Checkout in 2025, a similar service that factors international duties and fees into the checkout experience before purchase. DDP from USPS follows the same model: prepay duties, eliminate surprise costs, reduce rejections.
USPS offers a zero-fee entry point, making it attractive for lower-value cross-border ecommerce. Couriers typically charge platform or facilitation fees. The cost difference may shift volume toward USPS on lightweight, low-value lanes.
Service Suspension for Canada
International mail service to Canada remains temporarily suspended as of 29 November due to a strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. USPS DDP for Canada will activate once service resumes. Germany and the UK are live now.
What Happens Next
USPS plans to expand DDP to more destinations. The service will grow as customs infrastructure and third-party integrations scale. Forwarders should monitor country coverage and fee changes as USPS adjusts pricing to reflect cost recovery.
Shippers who move fast on DDP can lock in the zero-fee window and test the service on live lanes. Quote, book and track in one workflow. Keep your margin. Ship cross-border without the drama.
USPS DDP updates and country additions will be posted on the Postal Explorer website, along with price lists, downloadable files and Federal Register notices.
