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.
Does each package require its own Declaration ID?
Yes. Each package requires its own Declaration ID—you cannot use a single Declaration ID for multiple boxes.
Example: If you are shipping 3 boxes, you must create a separate Declaration ID for each box before visiting the post office.
My Declaration ID isn't working. Why?
A Declaration ID may not work if it has expired (IDs expire after 5 days if not linked to a tracking number), was already used, or was canceled. You won't be charged duties or fees for expired or canceled Declaration IDs.
Try entering the ID again—a retry may be all that's needed. If it still doesn't work, contact our support team at support@zonos.com. You can use the Zonos Prepay app to create a new Declaration ID.
What if I don't have a Declaration ID?
Without a Declaration ID, the clerk can't accept your U.S.-bound package. Don't worry—you can quickly download and use the Zonos Prepay app right at the post office to get one, then drop off your package.
I can't see my QR code. What do I do?
That's okay—show the Declaration ID to the postal clerk and they can manually key in the number.
What if I enter the wrong information?
After entering your item information (or using the photo feature to auto-fill), you'll be able to review and edit the details before confirming and getting a duty calculation.
How should I enter the price when declaring multiple quantities of the same item?
When declaring multiple quantities of the same item, enter the price per unit, not the combined total.
Example: If you are declaring 3 pins that each cost $1, enter $1 as the unit price. Do not enter $3—this will be interpreted as $3 per unit, and the total declared value will be calculated as $9 instead of $3.
Will I get a refund if I submitted incorrect information at the time of shipment?
No. Refunds will not be issued if incorrect information was provided at the time of shipment. We report exactly what was submitted and verified with CBP.
Example: If sunglasses appeared in the item photo and were paid for, but were not actually included in the shipment, a refund will not be granted if requested after the fact.
How long do I have to tie a tracking number to my Declaration ID?
You have 5 days to tie a tracking number to your Declaration ID. Your payment is authorized but not captured until the tracking number is added. If no tracking number is added within 5 days, the declaration will expire and you will not be charged.
Can I cancel before tying a tracking number?
Yes. If you have not yet tied a tracking number to your Declaration ID, you can cancel the declaration from the confirmation page at any time. Alternatively, you can wait for it to expire after 5 days. Either way, you will not be charged.
How do I get a refund after a tracking number has been tied?
After a tracking number has been tied, you must void the shipping label with your post before requesting a refund. Support will require proof that the shipment will not be sent before issuing a refund.
After voiding, depending on your post, you may be able to cancel the payment from your confirmation page, or you may need to contact Zonos support at support@zonos.com. Some posts (like Canada Post) allow us to electronically verify that the shipment has been voided, enabling in-app refunds. Other posts may not provide this functionality, so you may need to contact Zonos support with proof of voiding. See post-specific guides for more information.
Can I use Prepay for shipments over $800 USD?
Any shipment valued over $800 USD will default to DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid). Prepay will still provide a Declaration ID, but the customer will not be prompted to pay duties upfront—duties will be collected upon delivery instead.
Whether a Declaration ID is required for shipments over $800 USD varies by post.
What if I have multiple boxes in my shipment? Do I need to process each box individually?
Yes. Each box requires its own Declaration ID. If your shipment has 3 boxes, you'll need to enter the contents for box 1, pay for its duties, and get its Declaration ID before repeating the process for boxes 2 and 3.
Why was duty applied to my gift?
If your gift is valued at $100 USD or more, duties are required—even for personal gifts.
Why are there duties on returns?
According to CBP, U.S. returns are not duty-free and require duties to be paid.
There are a couple of exceptions where returns are exempt from duty:
- Un-deliverable items with the original U.S. S-10 Bar code and the package intact
- Refused items with the original U.S. S-10 Bar code and the package intact
The duty on my shipment is 0. Is this right? Do I still need to use the Prepay app?
Yes, some items are duty-free. The Prepay app will calculate the duty for you and let you know when your shipment is duty-free. You should still complete the shipment via Prepay so that you receive a Declaration ID to show to the postal counter. This communicates that you have paid duties (even if they are $0), and the post can accept your shipment.
Why was duty applied when the item's MFN rate is 0%?
Duties include both MFN rates (standard duty rates) and tariffs applied via executive action—a breakdown is available in our 2025 tariff guide. Since the U.S. de minimis was removed, postal services collect Section 122 tariff rates (a flat 10% surcharge effective February 24, 2026) but not MFN rates.
Are postal shipments subject to MFN or Section 122 duty rates?
Postal shipments are charged Section 122 tariff rates only (a flat 10% surcharge effective February 24, 2026). MFN rates do not apply to postal clearance. Previously, IEEPA tariff rates applied—but the U.S. Supreme Court struck down IEEPA tariffs on February 20, 2026, and Section 122 replaced them. Private carriers are subject to both MFN and Section 122 duties.
I ship CUSMA/USMCA items to the U.S. via the post. Will these have duties?
Yes. CUSMA/USMCA shipments under $800 USD will be charged duties when sent via a postal carrier. In this FAQ from CBP, CBP states that "USMCA preference cannot be claimed for postal shipments subject to Section 3 of Executive Order 14324". CUSMA/USMCA items require additional documentation that is not currently supported in the postal environment.
Why did my HS code change?
HS codes are determined by your item description and may be updated as Zonos improves classification accuracy. If your HS code changed, it's likely because Zonos classified your item on the fly—an AI-powered process that automatically determines the most accurate HS code based on your item description. You can always review and edit the HS code manually in the app before confirming payment.
How does the app know what I'm shipping?
When you take a photo of your items, the app uses Zonos Vision—our AI-powered item detection tool—to quickly identify them, estimate their value, and predict the country of origin. You'll always be able to review and edit the details before confirming payment.
You are not required to add a photo of your items. You can always enter your item information manually instead.
How can I get in touch if I have issues with the app?
Our team is here to help. You can reach out to us at support@zonos.com.
Zonos Prepay FAQs
Answers to common questions about the Zonos Prepay app and web version.
Some answers vary by post. To view post-specific FAQs, see post-specific guides: