Zonos Prepay for postal shippers

Download the app

The Prepay app is available for iOS and Android devices. It is free to download—there are no subscription fees. The app will only prompt for duty payment (and include a clearance/processing fee) when you use it to ship an item to the U.S. To download the app, click the links below:

• Download for iOS
• Download for Android
• Alternatively, use the web app version

Create an account

Once downloaded, set up your Prepay Account:

1. Click Create an account.
2. Create an account by signing in with your Google or Apple account, or by entering your email address and a password.
3. You then will receive an email with a 6 digit verification code. Enter this code to finalize your account set up.

The Zonos Prepay app's main purpose is to calculate and collect U.S. duties. However, you can also use it to simply calculate costs without paying them at the same time. For example, you may want to see how much duties on an item you sell online is, so that you can add the cost of duties to your item or shipping prices online. Zonos provides this calculation feature for free.

To use the Calculate feature in the Prepay app:

1. Click on the Calculate icon in the bottom left.
2. Select your ship from location.
3. Either enter your item information manually, or take a picture of the items you would like to see the duty calculation for.

You then will see the duty calculation, country of origin, and HS code associated with the items.

Using this information, you can add the duty to the item price or shipping price for your customers to pay at checkout.

All postal shipments under $800 USD going to the U.S. must have duties prepaid. If you use this Calculate feature, you will need to follow up with steps 2, where you pay duties, once you are ready to ship your item.

1. Prepare your shipment:
   • Open the Prepay app.
   • Select if you are shipping a standard package, gift, document, or a return.
   • Optionally, select your country of origin (if the same for all items).
   • Select the post you're shipping with.
   • Click Continue.
2. Click Add items manually to enter your item information yourself, or click Take a picture to take a photo and have the app auto-populate your item information. You can include all items in one photo, or take multiple photos.
3. Review the item information.
   • Click Edit to adjust the item information.
   • Click + Add another item to add an additional item.
   • Once ready to continue, check the box at the bottom to confirm the information is correct and click Calculate duties.

Customs descriptions in English

After you update to the latest version of the Prepay app (available starting November 25, 2025), each item shows:

• Your own description in your selected app language.
• A customs description in English just below it.

The English customs description is what the postal clerk will use when entering information for CBP, who require customs descriptions in English. There is nothing you need to enable—this appears automatically for all Prepay app users.

4. The app will calculate the duty cost of the shipment.
   • If no duties are due, click Complete to get your declaration ID. Some items may not have duty due. In this case, Zonos guarantees that no duty is due and may issue a Declaration ID, depending on the post.
   • If duties are due, click Pay to pay your duties. Payment is available in your local currency via your preferred payment method (credit card, Apple Pay®, etc.).
5. The app will generate a receipt with your Declaration ID and QR code. Show QR code with the Declaration ID to the postal counter (or enter it into your shipping software) to complete your shipment. More information on this step is below.
   • Click Print receipt or Share receipt to save your receipt.

What is a Declaration ID?

A Declaration ID is a code that proves you've completed your customs declaration and paid the required duties.

Why it's required:

• Under U.S. regulations, every parcel entering the country by mail must have duties prepaid.
• The post will scan your QR code and validate your Declaration ID at the counter.
• Without a Declaration ID, your parcel won't be accepted for shipping into the United States.

After paying duties, you are ready to ship your package. Here's how:

1. Simply show your QR code with the Declaration ID to the postal counter.
2. The postal clerk will scan the QR code or manually enter the Declaration ID when generating your label.

Gifts over $100 USD are subject to U.S. duties and must have a Declaration ID. When using Prepay, you can select "Gift" as the shipment type to ensure duties are calculated correctly.

Depending on your post, you may need to have a Declaration ID even for gifts under $100 USD (although no duties will apply).

If you are not sure what is considered a gift, see our commercial invoice guide.

1. Click on the Account icon in the bottom right of the app
2. Select the color theme of your app. You can select Light or Dark mode

The app supports 15+ languages. By default, the app will display in the language that you have your phone settings configured to.

To adjust your preferred language:

1. Click on the Account icon in the bottom right of the app.
2. Tap the dropdown box showing your current language.
3. Scroll through the list of available languages.
4. Tap your preferred language to select it.