BELMOPAN, Belize—In a significant development for international trade, the Belize Postal Service (BPS) has officially reinstated all outbound shipments to the United States effective January 7. This move concludes a five-month suspension period that began in August last year, triggered by sweeping changes to U.S. customs regulations.
The operational halt became imperative following the implementation of U.S. Executive Order 14324, which eliminated the traditional duty-free exemption threshold for international parcels. This regulatory shift mandated that all inbound shipments to the U.S., irrespective of their declared value, would become subject to standard customs duties and import taxes.
To navigate these new regulatory requirements, BPS has implemented the Universal Postal Union’s Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) Global Solution—an advanced logistics framework that represents a fundamental transformation in how international shipments are processed. This sophisticated system enables the pre-calculation and collection of U.S. duties and taxes before departure from Belize, creating a more transparent and efficient customs process.
The DDP system offers multiple advantages: accelerated customs clearance procedures upon arrival in the U.S., complete cost transparency for shippers, significantly reduced delivery delays, and minimized package returns. This creates a more predictable and reliable shipping experience for both commercial senders and individual recipients.
This strategic adoption positions Belize as a regional leader in compliant international postal logistics and ensures that Belizean businesses—particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)—maintain uninterrupted access to their valuable U.S. customer base. The implementation underscores Belize’s commitment to participating fully in global e-commerce while adhering to international trade regulations.
Postmaster General Dr. Marsha Price emphasized that ‘the Belize Postal Service remains dedicated to providing secure, reliable, and globally compliant postal services. Our implementation of the UPU’s DDP solution not only addresses new U.S. regulatory requirements but significantly enhances Belize’s capacity to engage in international digital commerce. We appreciate the public’s understanding during this necessary transitional period.’
The BPS has encouraged customers seeking information about the new DDP procedures, applicable duty rates, or required shipping documentation to contact their local post office branch or the customer service department for comprehensive assistance.
