The U.S. government has implemented stricter customs clearance procedures for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) shipments entering the country under Section 321 of the U.S. Customs Regulations (19 CFR 10.151). The new rules effectively remove the $800 duty-free exemption for shipments meeting specific criteria.
Under the revised policy, any shipment displaying the following three characteristics will no longer qualify for the de minimis exemption: First, if a single shipper sends more than one shipment (n > 1) to the same Amazon U.S. fulfillment center within one day, these packages will be classified as "split shipments." Second, all such shipments will require formal entry procedures, even if their individual declared value falls below $800. Third, formal entries mandate the inclusion of the recipient's Employer Identification Number (EIN) per U.S. customs regulations.
The policy change presents significant challenges for Amazon sellers, as the e-commerce giant does not provide customs clearance support for FBA shipments. When shipments meeting these criteria are denied entry by U.S. authorities, carriers such as DHL must return the goods to their origin. Industry experts warn this could lead to increased costs and logistical complications for international sellers.
E-commerce businesses shipping to Amazon U.S. warehouses are advised to carefully review their shipping practices to comply with the new regulations. Non-compliance risks shipment rejections, resulting in costly returns and potential disruptions to supply chains.
