October 16, 2026 · Supplemental edition

CBP Pushes Mail Entry Type 13 Deadline to January 20, 2027

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has moved the compliance date for its new international-mail informal entry procedures from October 22, 2026, to January 20, 2027. CBP also published Harmonized System Update 2626 with Section 232-related ABI records and a PGA flag removal, and warned of delayed outbound ACE manifest and in-bond notifications.

Rows of cardboard parcels and padded mailers on a curved conveyor and in wheeled sorting carts in a dim mail-processing hall
Mail Entry Deadline Moves to 2027

Mail Entry Type 13: compliance date moved to January 20, 2027

On October 14, 2026, CBP announced a 90-day extension of the compliance date for the new informal entry procedures for international mail, from October 22, 2026, to January 20, 2027. Under those procedures, postal shipments subject to Section 201, 232 or 301 duties, or regulated by a partner government agency (PGA), must be filed electronically in ACE under the new Entry Type 13 process; otherwise a formal entry is required. CBP says no changes to international mail entry procedures will take effect before January 20, 2027, and it encourages filers to use the optional Entry Type 13 process during the transition. CBP media release, Oct. 14, 2026

The deadline being extended comes from CBP's June 24, 2026 interim final rule (91 FR 37801, CBP Dec. 26-13). That rule also indefinitely suspended the de minimis exemption for goods arriving by international mail (19 CFR 145.31). The extension announcement covers the entry compliance date only and does not say the de minimis suspension has changed. Interim final rule, FR Doc. 2026-12669

Legal-status note: When we checked CBP's Federal Register document listing on Oct. 16, 2026, it did not yet include a notice formally amending the October 22 compliance date in the June rule. For now the extension rests on CBP's announcement. Separately, CBP's October 8, 2026 proposed rule, "Low-Value Shipments," would apply the new entry and data requirements to informal entry of all international mail packages except letters and flats. It is a proposal only. NPRM, FR Doc. 2026-20650
Previous compliance dateOct. 22, 2026
New compliance dateJan. 20, 2027
AnnouncedOct. 14, 2026

HSU 2626: Section 232 ABI records and an NMFS flag removal

CSMS #70197855 (Oct. 14, 2026) says Harmonized System Update 2626 was created on October 9, 2026. It contains 4 harmonized tariff records and 14 ABI records, including Section 232 updates. CBP links those updates to Commerce's procedures for steel and aluminum producers in Canada or Mexico that commit to new U.S. primary steel or aluminum production (FR Doc. 2026-07987, published April 23, 2026). Under that program, Commerce can lower Section 232 duties by up to half for approved producers that supply U.S. automobile or medium- and heavy-duty vehicle makers. The adjusted rate cannot fall below 25%. The notice created headings 9903.82.18 (steel) and 9903.82.19 (aluminum). ITA notice, FR Doc. 2026-07987

The CSMS message does not list the specific tariff or ABI records it changed. It also does not name any approved producers. An HSU is a CBP system update. It is not a new USITC HTS revision and does not change a legal duty rate by itself. The same HSU removes the National Marine Fisheries Service NM8 PGA flag from HTS 0301.19.0000. CBP CSMS

ACE notices: outbound notification delays and a truck export guide update

In CSMS #70208464 (Oct. 15, 2026), CBP said filers may see delayed outbound notifications for air, ocean and rail manifest and for in-bond. CBP is investigating and plans to send a follow-up once the problem is fixed. No resolution message had arrived in the subscribed digests by 08:08 UTC on Oct. 16. CBP CSMS

In CSMS #70200422 (Oct. 14, 2026), CBP updated the Electronic Export Manifest truck X12 309 Customs Manifest Implementation Guide. The update adds VEH22, "Reference Identification Qualifier," to the VEH segment's data element summary. CBP EEM truck 309 guide

Action items

  • Update client advisories and internal calendars for international mail: the Entry Type 13 / formal entry requirement for 201/232/301- and PGA-covered postal shipments now applies from January 20, 2027, not October 22, 2026. CBP release
  • Do not treat the delay as a return of mail de minimis. The suspension in 19 CFR 145.31 is not addressed by the extension. FR Doc. 2026-12669
  • Watch for a Federal Register notice formally amending the compliance date. If you plan to comment on the Low-Value Shipments proposal, check its docket deadline. FR Doc. 2026-20650
  • If you import ornamental fish under 0301.19.0000, confirm your ABI software no longer sends NMFS NM8 data for that line. Send Section 232 adjustment questions to [email protected]. CSMS #70197855
  • Check outbound manifest and in-bond notifications against ACE until CBP confirms the CSMS #70208464 problem is resolved. CBP CSMS

FAQ

Does the extension restore the de minimis exemption for mail?

No. CBP's announcement covers only the date when the new informal mail entry procedures become mandatory. The June 24, 2026 rule's suspension of mail de minimis is not described as changed. FR Doc. 2026-12669

Can filers start using Entry Type 13 now?

Yes, on an optional basis. CBP encourages use of the optional Entry Type 13 process during the transition before the January 20, 2027 compliance date. CBP release

Does HSU 2626 mean a reduced Section 232 rate applies to my steel or aluminum?

Not by itself. Under the ITA procedures, a reduction requires Commerce approval of a specific producer's project, and Commerce then notifies CBP of the effective date and eligible quantity. The CSMS message does not name approved producers. FR Doc. 2026-07987

Original sources and dates