Incoterms

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is supported for a seamless customer experience

Maximum Dimensions

Weight: up to 15kg Dimensions: 68 x 43 x 43 cm L+Girth: 213cm

Delivery Options

Signatures, redelivery attempts and delivery to PO Boxes are supported

CLEAR CUSTOMS WITH CONFIDENCE

U.S. Customs regulations are strict and non-compliance can result in delays, returned parcels, or even being banned from shipping to the U.S.  This isn’t just about compliance. It’s about protecting your brand, your customer experience, and your ability to scale globally.

To ship to the U.S. successfully, retailers need to provide accurate and complete data for every parcel shipped.

At SEKO, we guide you through the key data requirements required for smooth clearance, helping retailers meet their responsibility to submit accurate and complete information for every customer order.

UNITED STATES CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS

What was the U.S. de minimis rule?

The U.S. de minimis rule allowed shipments valued at USD800 or less to enter the U.S. duty-free under section 321 of the Tariff Act. This rule allowed retailers to ship directly to their customers in the U.S. without formal customs entry or duty payment.

Suspension of the de minimis rule for all countries of origin

On the 30th of July 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order which suspended the de minimis exemption for all countries, effective August 29, 2025.

From this date, all goods are subject to tariffs placed on the country of origin of each item. Retailers must ensure full compliance with U.S. import regulations to avoid delays, penalties, or rejected shipments.

ESSENTIAL DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR CUSTOMS COMPLIANCE

Country of Origin

The Country of Origin (COO) of an item is the country of manufacture. This information must be provided in each shipment's consignment data sent to SEKO.

Manufacturer's Identification

Manufacturer's Identification (MID) or the manufacturer's name and address must be provided for a formal clearance. The MID must be provided in the data sent to SEKO via the API request. Read about how to create the MID here.

HTS Codes

Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes must be compliant. HTS codes are 10-digit codes used in the United States for classifying imported goods and calculating applicable customs duties. Freight will stop if HTS codes are not correct. Please read more here.

Detailed Descriptions

To ensure your parcels are cleared by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and will reach your US customers, provide clear and detailed descriptions of parcel contents for all consignments you are shipping. As of the 1st October 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection advised they will reject clearance of parcels with vague or ambiguous goods descriptions. For information on acceptable descriptions, please refer to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

Continuous Bond

A customs bond is a financial guarantee required by CBP to ensure all duties, taxes, and fees owed to the U.S. Government will be paid. A valid bond must be on file before CBP will release your goods.

For businesses importing regularly, a Continuous Bond is the most efficient and cost-effective option. Unlike a Single-Entry Bond, which must be purchased for every individual shipment, a Continuous Bond covers all shipments for 12 months and reduces delays as it stays on file in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) allowing faster release of goods.

How the calculation for a continuous bond works
CBP rules require a Bond Value equal to 10% of your total annual duties and taxes, subject to a minimum bond value of USD 50,000. Even if you only expect to pay USD 5,000 in duties, CBP still mandates the USD 50,000 ‘Limit of Liability’.

Scenario A: Standard Importer (Minimum Bond)
Most small to medium importers fall under the statutory minimum.
•    Total Annual Duties: USD 40,000
•    CBP Calculation (10%): USD 4,000
•    Required Bond Value: USD 50,000 (CBP Minimum)
•    Your Annual Premium: ~USD 600 (what your business pays upfront)

Scenario B: High-Volume Importer
If your total annual duties exceed USD 500,000, the Bond Value must increase in increments of USD 10,000 to maintain the 10% threshold and ensure your bond value remains sufficient as your business grows.
•    Total Annual Duties: USD 745,000
•    CBP Calculation (10%): USD 74,500
•    Required Bond Value: USD 80,000 (Rounded up to the nearest $10K)
•    Your Annual Premium: ~USD 800 (what your business pays upfront)

If your business scales and your annual duties exceed the amount entered on your bond application, your bond value (and the associated premium) will need to be increased to stay compliant and keep your shipments moving.

ESSENTIAL READING

If you're sending freight to the United States, we advise reviewing the Reasonable Care publication from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for essential customs information including the following topics:

  • Merchandise description and tariff classification
  • Country of origin (COO)
  • Customs regulations

Understanding these topics will help ensure smooth and compliant cross-border shipments.

WHAT ARE THE CHARGES FOR A U.S. CLEARANCE?

Listed below are the clearance charges when shipping to the United States.

1.  SEKO generally clear using a Type 11 clearance, however, for large or B2B shipments, a Type 1 is also available:

    • Type 11 - Customs charge of USD 2.61 per clearance with a maximum shipment value of USD 2,500 of multiple parcels. SEKO Charge of USD 0.35 to cover SEKO Brokerage and systems charges (included in rates).
    • Type 1 (B2B Clearance) - Customs charge 0.3464% of the value of the shipment with a minimum of USD 32.71 and a maximum of USD 634.62. SEKO Charge of USD 125 which includes the first five lines plus line fees of USD 4 per line thereafter.

2.  SEKO U.S. will charge a 5% dispersion fee for duty payments made by SEKO on the retailer’s behalf. SEKO recommends the use of a U.S. customs deferred account to avoid this charge.

Things to consider when making your decision between clearance types:

  • Total value of the shipment
  • Volume of consignments
  • Value of consignments

Please note, if sending any items requiring FDA submissions, a Type 11 clearance must be used to avoid clearance delays for all retailers using the SEKO solution.

HOW DO I PAY DUTIES?

Option 1 - Disbursement Charges

Currently SEKO U.S. will charge a 5% disbursement charge on the total duties that they have paid to U.S. CBP at the time of clearance. SEKO will then invoice the retailer for the duties to be payable immediately. To avoid the 5% fee there is an alternative (see Deferred Account below).

Option 2 - Deferred Account

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) currently offer two FREE programs for Direct Duty Payment, both requiring a U.S. bank account:

  1. Direct ACH – duties are paid direct from your bank account within 10 business days after release.
  2. Direct ACH via Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS) - duties are paid direct from the importer’s bank account in a single transaction in the month following release.

How Do I Get Enrolled For a Deferred Account?

  1. Complete the ACH Application (CBP Form 400)
  2. Email the application to CBP at ACH-Customs@cbp.dhs.gov for processing. 
  3. Once the application is processed, CBP will provide a unique Payor Unit Number (PUN). This number should be provided to your customs broker (SEKO) to ensure their Customs Brokerage System is set up accordingly and you are provided with necessary reporting to forecast your monthly payment. 

Example Calculations

Suppose a retailer sends 110 parcels to the U.S. and all 110 parcels fly on MAWB 0061123456. Here's how the calculations can differ depending on the type of clearance selected.

Type 1 Clearance Costs

  • The retailer has notified SEKO for their freight to be cleared using the Type 1 clearance.
  • These 110 parcels have a total declared value of USD 8,800.
  • 110 parcels will be cleared on a Type 1 formal clearance and will cost this retailer USD 30.48 (CBP Fee) plus USD 38.50 (Entry Fee). Duties will be calculated at this point and charged to the retailer for future payment.
  • Freight will be released and sent for delivery.
  • The total payable for this example will be: USD68.98

Type 11 Clearance Costs

  • The retailer has notified SEKO for their freight to be cleared using the Type 11 clearance.
  • These 110 parcels have a total declared value of USD 8,800.
  • 110 parcels will be cleared on a Type 11 clearance and will cost this retailer USD 7.83 (CBP Fee) plus USD 38.50 (Entry Fee). Duties will be calculated at this point and charged to the retailer for future payment.
  • Freight will be released and sent for delivery.
  • The total payable for this example will be: USD46.33

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Country of Origin is the country of manufacture of the goods being shipped. This information must be provided in each shipment's consignment data. In order for the COO to be changed, a 'significant change' in the purpose of use of the product must occur. In general, if the HTS code has changed, the country of origin may also have changed.

Many retailers are shifting to DDP for a better customer experience. DDP ensures brands have more control of the shipping experience. Duties are prepaid which reduces surprise duty costs for your customer when the order reaches the United States. DDP also streamlines customs clearance leading to faster and more consistent delivery times.