TITLE: CBP’s Temporary Entry Type 13 Change: What Sellers Need to Know
What changed on 22 October 2026?
In a notice published on 22 October 2026, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) modified its test of the electronic informal mail entry process in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). CBP will temporarily accept an Entry Type 13 transmission even when it does not contain complete electronic PGA data. Filers may still transmit PGA data electronically where they can.
The change is intended to let participants begin using Entry Type 13 while they build the capability to submit complete PGA data. CBP says it will announce the end of this temporary acceptance in a future Federal Register notice.
This is a limited filing accommodation, not a waiver of product regulations, PGA requirements or other Entry Type 13 rules. Read the CBP notice in the Federal Register and confirm how it applies to your shipments with your customs broker.
Which shipments may use Entry Type 13?
Entry Type 13 is the electronic informal entry route for qualifying international mail shipments valued at $2,500 or less and sent through the international postal network. The process includes shipments that were previously eligible for de minimis treatment. It also provides a route for certain low-value mail shipments that have PGA data requirements or duties beyond those covered by HTSUS Chapters 1–97.
It is not a general solution for every US-bound parcel. Eligibility depends on the shipment, its value, how it is transported and the applicable entry requirements. A shipment sent by courier, for example, is not an international postal-network shipment. Ask your broker to confirm the correct entry process before relying on Entry Type 13.
The importer of record (IOR) (the owner, purchaser or a properly appointed licensed broker) must file the required Entry Type 13 data electronically in ACE.
What does temporary PGA-data acceptance mean for sellers?
Some goods are subject to requirements administered by PGAs, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The October notice addresses a practical barrier for filers whose systems are not yet ready to submit complete electronic PGA data with an Entry Type 13 transmission.
For qualifying shipments, CBP will temporarily accept the transmission without complete electronic PGA data. That can help a business begin using the new entry route while it works on its filing capability. But it does not mean that regulated goods can be shipped without meeting applicable safety, documentation or admissibility requirements. Nor does it remove other Entry Type 13 data requirements.
Treat this as a temporary transition, not a permanent exemption. Continue working toward complete PGA data submission. CBP will publish a future notice when the temporary acceptance ends.
Use this checklist before your next postal shipment
- Ask your customs broker about ACE Entry Type 13. Confirm that your shipment qualifies and that the correct IOR will submit the entry. This reduces the risk of using the wrong filing route.
- Review your products for PGA requirements. Check which SKUs may be regulated by agencies such as FDA or CPSC. Accurate product and classification records help your broker identify relevant requirements.
- Keep improving your data and systems. Map the information needed for complete PGA submissions and agree a plan with your broker to transmit it electronically. This prepares you for the end of the temporary acceptance.
- Check special duty claims carefully. Shipments subject to Chapter 98 or Chapter 99 duties, or claiming Chapter 98 duty-free treatment or a Free Trade Agreement benefit, must include additional mandated data. The temporary PGA-data change does not remove those requirements.
- Keep evidence linked to each shipment. Maintain product descriptions, classifications, values, origin details and filing records. Consistent records make it easier to resolve entry questions and keep your accounting data aligned with customs activity.
Keep customs activity connected to your financial records
US importers of record and overseas sellers need a clear picture of the costs and obligations attached to each order. Keep entry records, duties and product data connected to your sales and inventory records. This supports more reliable reporting and helps you spot discrepancies before they become a recurring problem.
Sterlinx Global operates as a Global Tax Compliance Suite for ecommerce brands, digital businesses and growing SMEs, including UK Limited Companies, USA LLCs and cross-border sellers. We deliver bookkeeping, tax calculations, filings and year-end compliance. We are not a customs broker, so coordinate Entry Type 13 submissions and customs requirements with your broker.
For sellers managing marketplace and direct-to-consumer transactions, an ecommerce accountant in the UK can help keep the accounting workflow organised alongside customs records. Whether you need an Amazon seller accountant in the UK, Shopify accounting in the UK or structured ecommerce bookkeeping in the UK, accurate records help your finance and compliance processes work together.
Frequently asked questions
Does the change mean I can ignore PGA requirements?
No. CBP is temporarily accepting Entry Type 13 transmissions without complete electronic PGA data. This does not waive applicable product rules or other filing requirements. Continue working toward complete PGA data submission.
Is the temporary acceptance permanent?
No. CBP will announce its conclusion in a future Federal Register notice. Monitor CBP updates and work with your broker so your systems are ready to submit complete required data.
Do Chapter 98, Chapter 99 or Free Trade Agreement claims still need additional data?
Yes. The notice says shipments subject to Chapter 98 or Chapter 99 duties, or claiming Chapter 98 duty-free treatment or a Free Trade Agreement benefit, must transmit additional mandated data. The temporary PGA-data acceptance does not remove that requirement.
Who submits the Entry Type 13 filing?
The importer of record must file the required data electronically in ACE. This may be the owner, purchaser or a properly appointed licensed broker. Confirm responsibility with your broker before shipping.