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CBP holds support call today on the Entry Type 13 mail test in ACE
CBP will hold a Post-Deployment Support Call today, October 7, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET on Microsoft Teams. The call covers the ACE enhancements that implemented the new Entry Type 13 Test for processing international mail shipments (INT-057 and CBP-290). CBP refers readers to its Information Notice for details on these deployments. Questions go to CBP's CREM or ESAR divisions, and technical questions go to the assigned Client Representative.
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This is an information call, and clients do not need to act. We file mail entries, including entry type 13, and the call does not change how we file them. Shippers and postal operators who want to hear CBP's explanation can join using the details in the message. Clients with questions about their mail shipments can ask us to review them.
CBP moves Entry Type 13 mail test guides from draft to current ACE chapters
CBP implemented the Entry Type 13 (ET13) test for U.S. mail processing in ACE on September 22, 2026. CBP moved the related Cargo Release and Entry Summary implementation guides from the draft section of its CATAIR page to the current sections. The moved documents include the PGA Flag Enforcement Table, the Prior Notice stand-alone filing guide and the Entry Summary Error Dictionary.
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This is a technical update for software developers and filers who transmit Entry Type 13 data to ACE. We file mail entries, including entry type 13, and we follow the current CATAIR guides for them. Clients do not need to act because of this message. Clients who ship by mail can ask us how Entry Type 13 applies to their shipments.
CBP posts draft ACE error codes for the new mail entry type 13 test
CBP posted a draft ACE CATAIR Error Dictionary V54 in the Future Capabilities section of CBP.gov. All updates support the new Entry Type 13 test. Nine new errors cover manifest components, the final delivered-to party and address, unknown ZIP codes and the dutiable mail fee. The update renames error B49 to "PSC NOT ALLOWED - CANNOT BE INFORMAL/MAIL" and updates 11 current errors.
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These draft errors apply to the entry type 13 mail entries that we file. Under these errors, ACE rejects a type 13 entry that lacks the final delivered-to party, its complete address or a known ZIP code. Mail shippers should send us these data for each shipment. The message does not give a production date for these errors.
CBP support call on the entry type 13 mail test set for September 15, 2026
CBP scheduled a pre-deployment support call for Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET on Microsoft Teams. The call covered the ACE changes for the new Entry Type 13 test for international mail shipments (INT-057 and CBP-290). CBP refers readers to its Information Notice on the Entry Type 13 test in ACE for U.S. mail processing.
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The entry type 13 test affects the mail entries we file, but this call needs no action from clients.
CBP Reschedules Support Call for New Mail Entry Type 13 Test
CBP rescheduled the Pre-Deployment Support Call for the ACE Entry Type 13 test covering international mail processing to September 15, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Post-Deployment Support Call stays on October 7, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET. Both calls cover upcoming ACE enhancements for the Entry Type 13 test (INT-057, CBP-290) for mail shipments.
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We are monitoring this ACE test because it may eventually change how we file entry type 13 for mail shipments. No filing procedures change because of this notice, and clients do not need to take any action now. We will tell clients if CBP finalizes rules that affect their mail entries.
CBP updated draft CATAIR guidance for Entry Type 13 prior notice filing
CBP announced an update to the draft ACE CATAIR Stand-alone Filing for Prior Notice Data (PE/PX) document. The update added guidance covering Entry Type 13. CBP posted the revised draft chapter on cbp.gov and directed questions to its CREM mailbox.
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This update concerns the technical filing specifications that brokers like Allied use to submit prior notice data for entry type 13 mail entries. It does not require action from importers or shippers. Later CSMS messages may have changed these technical requirements further, so clients with questions about their entry type 13 filings should ask Allied to review them.
CBP added an enforcement flag for Entry Type 13 to its draft PGA flag table
CBP updated the draft Partner Government Agency (PGA) Flag Enforcement Table and posted it in the CATAIR Draft Chapters section. The update added an enforcement flag for Entry Type 13 (ET13). CBP said the table is available online and gave an email contact for questions.
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This is a technical draft update to CBP's PGA data table for automated filing systems, not a rule change for importers. It concerns how brokers and their ABI systems handle Entry Type 13 filings. Clients do not need to act, and later CSMS messages may update or finalize this draft table.
CBP posted more technical guides for the mail Entry Type 13 test in ACE
CBP announced on July 20, 2026 the Entry Type 13 test for U.S. mail processing in ACE through CSMS 69289734. This follow-up message said CBP had published additional draft guides, the ACE CATAIR Entry Summary Query and the ACE CATAIR Error Dictionary for Entry Summary, to support that test. CBP said any future updates would be announced by separate CSMS message.
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This message only added technical documentation for the ACE mail Entry Type 13 test and did not change entry filing requirements itself. It affected system programming for parties involved in mail entry processing, not day to day filing steps for our clients. Clients with mail shipments should ask us if they want to know how the Entry Type 13 test or later CSMS updates affect their entries.
CBP rolled out new Entry Type 13 for U.S. mail shipments in ACE
CBP announced it would deploy the Entry Type 13 Test in ACE for U.S. Mail Processing to the CERT environment on July 24, 2026, and to the PROD environment on September 22, 2026. The change created a new entry type, ET13, for submitting USPS international mail shipment data, following the suspension of the de minimis exemption. It included updates to electronic data interchange and several ACE implementation guides for cargo release, entry summary and manifest.
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This deployment set up the electronic process we use to file mail entries under the new Entry Type 13 after de minimis was suspended. Since the PROD deployment date has passed, this process should now be in effect for mail shipment filings. Clients who ship by international mail should ask us to confirm how their shipments are being entered under this process.
CBP detailed new postal informal entry process for mail shipments under $2,500
CBP announced on June 24, 2026 the indefinite suspension of the de minimis exemption for goods entering by international mail. Effective July 24, 2026, mail shipments valued at $2,500 or less that qualify for informal entry had to move through a new postal informal entry process described in Federal Register notice and CBP guidance. The guidance covered who could use the process, required information, bond and payment rules, and deadlines.
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This message set the postal informal entry rules that took effect July 24, 2026, and our background confirms the de minimis exemption for mail remains suspended for all countries. We apply the new postal informal entry process to the mail entries we file for clients from that date forward. Clients sending goods by international mail should confirm with us that their shipments meet the value and eligibility limits for informal entry, and ask us to review any entries in question.
CBP added more parties certified to pay duty on international mail shipments
CBP announced updates to its list of parties certified to collect and pay duty on international mail shipments under Executive Order 14324, which ended duty-free de minimis treatment for all countries effective August 29, 2025. CBP said mail carriers or qualified third parties must pay duty on these shipments, following the process in earlier CSMS guidance that requires a CBP Form 5106 and a bond. CBP said it would keep posting updated lists of qualified parties on CBP.gov.
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This message concerns international mail carriers and third parties seeking CBP certification to pay duty on mail shipments, not entries Allied files directly. The de minimis suspension it references remains in effect for all countries, including mail, as of today. Clients who ship by international mail should confirm their carrier or designated party appears on CBP's current qualified party list, and can ask Allied to review how this affects their specific entries.
CBP updated the list of qualified parties that pay duty on international mail
On January 14, 2026, CBP announced that it had certified additional parties to collect and pay duty on international mail shipments under Executive Order 14324. The list was attached to the message, and CBP said it would post and update the list on CBP.gov. Parties seeking certification had to file a CBP Form 5106, obtain a bond and meet other requirements. Parties with a Form 5106 and active bond on file could email CBPDM@cbp.dhs.gov to request qualification.
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This message mattered to foreign postal operators and forwarders choosing who pays duty on mail shipments to the United States. De minimis remains suspended for all countries, including mail, so duty on mail still applies. The list of qualified parties may have changed since January, so check CBP.gov for the current list. Clients who want to act as a qualified party or need help with mail entries should ask Allied to review their situation.
The summaries and positions are general information, not legal advice. Always check the official CBP message, which each page links to.
Does a change affect your entries?
Call (908) 291-8001 or email info@alliedchb.com