Zonos and Japan Post

As of August 29, 2025, a new U.S. executive order now requires all shipments into the U.S. to be assessed duty. This includes postal shipments. If you're shipping parcels valued at less than $800 USD to the United States using Japan Post, you're now required to prepay U.S. duties before your shipment is dispatched.

To support this change, Japan Post has partnered with Zonos to provide two compliant shipping solutions:

Zonos Prepay app 

For individuals and small businesses who ship occasionally

The Zonos Prepay app is a free mobile app that handles the entire shipping process — duty calculation, payment, label creation, and customs documentation — all before visiting the post office.

Key features:

• AI-powered photo classification to identify items and assign HS codes
• Duty calculation and payment in JPY
• Japan Post shipping label and customs document generation
• Declaration ID for proof of duty prepayment
• Available in 19 languages
• Free to download, no subscription fees

Access the Prepay app:

• Download for iOS
• Download for Android
• Use it in your browser

For detailed instructions, see the Zonos Prepay for Japan Post shippers guide.

Verified Accounts 

For merchants and businesses who ship regularly

Verified Accounts let businesses with a Japan Post deferred-payment (後納) contract create U.S.-bound labels with duties prepaid. Zonos calls the Japan Post Label API on the merchant's behalf, generates the label and Declaration ID, and links them — so every shipment leaves Japan duty-prepaid and customs-compliant.

With a Verified Account:

• Every shipment includes a Declaration ID
• Zonos creates the Japan Post label using your Later Pay Number
• Duties are calculated, invoiced by Zonos, and paid directly to CBP
• Postage continues to be billed by Japan Post to your Later Pay Number
• View shipments and labels in the Zonos Dashboard
• No subscription fee — only pay duties and postal fees

For full details, see the Verified Accounts for Japan Post guide.

To continue shipping to the U.S. with Japan Post, choose the solution that fits your business. Both options ensure your shipments meet U.S. requirements and clear without delays.