Transatlantic trade has changed forever – how OCS keeps parcels moving

Shipping into the US used to be straightforward, but the era of effortless, low-cost cross-border logistics is officially over.

Rapid updates to American trade regulations, customs clearance thresholds and tariff structures over the last 18 months under President Trump means UK retailers can no longer rely on yesterday’s playbook.

Here is a breakdown of the regulatory shifts transforming transatlantic trade – and how OCS Worldwide is engineered to safeguard your business.

What Has Changed So Far?

The End of the $800 De Minimis Exemption: The US indefinitely suspended the de minimis exemption (Section 321) for all countries. Every commercial export from the UK to the US – regardless of value – is now subject to full tariffs, duties, and customs clearance charges.

Universal & Stacked Tariffs: Following the expiry of temporary Section 122 tariffs, the USTR enacted permanent Section 301 tariffs, applying a baseline 10% to 12.5% duty on 99.4% of UK exports. Section 232 metal tariffs also stack on top, adding 25% for high steel/aluminium content and 10% to 15% for lesser metal content.

Entry Type 86 Retired: Low-value clearance via Type 86 is gone. Exporters must now use formal (Type 01) or informal (Type 11) entries, requiring precise product descriptions, 10-digit HTSUS codes and component country-of-origin data.

New Postal Requirements: Postal shipments under $2,500 now require an International Mail Duty Worksheet (IMDW) and a continuous customs bond.

What Is On The Horizon?

Entry Type 13 Test (22 September 2026): US Customs and Border Protection is launching a voluntary electronic filing process to automate informal data entry for international mail shipments under $2,500.

Looking Ahead – Disruptions Looming for December 2026: As retailers prepare for the end of the year, several upcoming deadlines and new trade measures will require immediate attention and supply chain adjustments.

Statutory Repeal (1 July 2027): Passed under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, the statutory repeal of Section 321 for all commercial shipments will officially become permanent law.

Why OCS Worldwide Is Your Strategic Partner

At OCS Worldwide, we have adapted our cross-border network to keep your business fully compliant, tax-efficient, and ahead of the competition.

Refined DDP Solutions: Passing unexpected tax and duty charges to the US consumer at the doorstep damages brand loyalty. By leveraging our advanced DDP capabilities alongside our technology partners, we automate duty, tariff, and tax collection directly at checkout. This guarantees upfront compliance, eliminates border red tape and delivers a frictionless experience for your US customers.

Proactive Regulatory Guidance: We don’t wait for shipments to fail at the border. We act as a strategic guide, translating complex US Customs rules, FDA restrictions and shifting tariff codes into plain English. This ensures your product descriptions, country-of-origin data, and HS classifications are perfectly aligned.

Real-Time Clearance via FlightDeck: Our proprietary FlightDeck portal provides total transparency down to the individual parcel level. Retailers can actively monitor duty and tax clearances, delivery metrics, and reverse logistics in real time.

Direct USPS Injection: As a long-standing Postal Qualified Wholesaler and USPS Global Direct Entry Partner, we bypass traditional cross-border friction. Our direct injection model aims to deliver a fully tracked, 3 to 7 day final-mile delivery experience for your US customers.

Peak Performance & Reverse Logistics: Pre-booked airline capacity shields your business from global bottlenecks to keep high-volume periods like Q4 running smoothly. For returns, we offer efficient, localised US options that protect your brand experience, customer margins, and inventory layout.

Transatlantic shipping requires absolute precision, but you do not have to navigate the complexity alone. Contact our team of UK-based logistics experts today to discuss how we can secure your transatlantic growth.