US trade policies and parcel delivery: the effect of US duties on shipments

The trade policies adopted under the Trump administration and the US duties for shipments arising, have introduced substantial changes for those who must send US parcels, whether companies or private individuals.

Let's see what has changed, how the major international couriers react and what the new tariff regime means for those shipping from Italy.

The end of the regime “de minimis” 

A breaking point was the abolition of the “de minimis” regime that allowed goods with a value of up to USD 800 to be imported into the US duty-free.  

With the introduced amendments, even goods of relatively low value can be subject to customs duties and controls, provided they are not covered by specific exemptions. 

No more gifts to send or goods of little value that will arrive without paying customs. 

the ShippingComfortable Advice: before send from Italy to the USA, always calculate the declared value of the parcel. Even modest items today can generate duties and delays. 

The restrictions placed by DHL

The communiqué of DHL of 22 August 2025 points out that the new customs regulations and the US duties on shipments impose Temporary Restrictions on Postal Carriage of Goods to the US, for both private and business customers. DHL has discontinued some German non-Express mailings, maintaining only the service DHL Express, which now includes compulsory payment of duties and increased customs verification. 

ShippingComfortable Advice: for urgent or valuable and important shipments, always prefer express couriers. Although more expensive, they guarantee traceability, certainty of time and greater security at customs. 

Fedex's approach and shipments subject to FDA

Fedex has informed its partners that shipments containing items subject to FDA (Food and Drug Administration) - such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biological materials and foodstuffs - require additional documentation for import into the US.  

In addition, these shipments require the forwarding of the Prior Notice, i.e. prior communication to the US agency. 

Fedex has shared a number of practical resources to help manage shipments subject to FDA inspections: from general guidance for importing regulated products, to instructions for submitting the Prior Notice of imported foodstuffs, up to the forms for its correct filling in and the specific regulations of the CBER concerning biological materials. These tools are used to ensure that shipments meet all requirements and do not get held up or delayed in customs. 

These measures mean that those shipping regulated products have to prepare documentation in advance and take longer to clear customs. 

ShippingComfortable Advice: if you ship regulated products, prepare all FDA documentation in advance. Small mistakes can hold up the package: rely on an experienced partner who knows the procedures. 

UPS's position on tariff changes: what it means for US parcel delivery 

UPS emphasises that new trade policies and changes in the US duties represent a major challenge for those who have to ship goods across borders. Here are the key points: 

1. Volatility of US duties
   Sudden changes in theUS duties create uncertainty for companies and individuals. Even a single US parcel may be subject to new tariffs, with a direct impact on final costs. 
2. Duties as part of the shipping cost
   UPS points out that duties are no longer marginal costs: they have a substantial impact on the profitability of those who export or want tosend from Italy to the USA. It is essential to include duties in the overall shipment calculations. 
3. Need for awareness and agility
   For a correct sending US parcels, companies need to stay abreast of changes in tariff policies and be able to adapt quickly, choosing alternative routes and shipping strategies if necessary. 

• Customs and compliance at the centre
  UPS emphasises that the correct customs classification (HS codes, declared values, complete documents) is crucial to avoid blockages or delays when sending a US parcel.  
• Transparency with customers
  Collaboration between couriers and freight forwarders is essential: clearly communicating duty-related costs and possible customs clearance times helps to maintain customer confidence and plan ahead.

the point of SpedizioneComoda:  In summary, for those who must send from Italy to the USA, we need more attention to US duties, more preparation in documentation and the ability to predict the total costs of each US parcel before shipment. Always fill in the commercial invoice with clear descriptions and correct HS codes. Thus you avoid reclassifications at customs and reduce the risk of unexpected costs. 

Effects for those sending from Italy to the USA

• Increased cost complexitySmall shipments can now incur duties that were previously avoided under “de minimis”.  
• Decisive courier choiceOnly operators with full customs handling capabilities (Express) are reliable.  
• Preparation of compulsory documentationdetailed commercial invoice, correct classifications, FDA notifications if applicable.  
• Longer timescales for customs clearance, especially for regulated products.  

Fact Sheet - Shipping Italy → USA 

Conclusion 

The tariff and customs policies introduced under the Trump era have made the’sending US parcels more complex and costly. Italian companies and individuals who want send from Italy to the USA must prepare themselves for more detailed documentation, additional customs costs and longer customs clearance times.