The rule that changed US agent shopping
For years, parcels worth $800 or less entered the US without duty. That ended in two steps: for goods from China and Hong Kong on 2 May 2025, and for every country on 29 August 2025. After the Supreme Court's February 2026 ruling on emergency tariffs, a new presidential order confirmed the suspension stays, and in June 2026 CBP wrote it into regulation with a new process for postal parcels from 24 July 2026.
For a New York buyer, that means every Usfans parcel owes duty. The useful question isn't whether you'll pay but how: built into the shipping price, or collected by the carrier when the parcel arrives.
Every parcel owes duty now; choose how you'd rather pay it.
Duties-paid or not: the line decides
| Line type | Who pays the duty | Speed | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHL, duties paid | Included in the shipping price | About 5–10 days after departure | Low: no bill at the door |
| Courier, duties not included | You, when the carrier asks | Similar to DHL | A bill plus a brokerage fee |
| Postal or economy | Depends on the line's terms | Weeks | Unclear charges; delays at entry |
An independent directory lists Usfans DHL lines to the US with duties paid. Line names and prices change, so read the description of each option at checkout and look for "DDP" or "duties included". If it isn't stated, assume you'll be billed. Our Usfans shipping guide explains how lines are priced.
If checkout doesn't say duties are included, expect a bill on delivery.
What the duty depends on
US duty is set by product type and origin, and rates on Chinese goods have moved repeatedly since 2025. That's why a fixed number on a forum post from last year is a poor guide. Two things are stable: the declared value must match what you paid, and the product description must be accurate. Under-declaring doesn't avoid duty; it risks seizure, fines and losing the parcel. Goods that infringe US trademarks can be seized outright by CBP, and no shipping line protects you against that.
Declare honestly and let a duties-paid line handle the calculation.
New York use tax
Federal duty isn't the only tax. When you buy from a seller that doesn't charge New York sales tax, the state's use tax applies in principle, at the same rate as sales tax, and is reported on your state income tax return. In New York City the combined state and city rate is 8.875%. Agents don't collect it, so it's your responsibility.
Keep receipts; use tax is reported on your state return.
Delivery in the city
DHL and other couriers deliver to the door and usually need a signature or a building contact. In apartment buildings, add your unit number and buzzer details, and make sure your doorman or package room accepts courier deliveries. A US phone number lets the courier send delivery notices, and if duty is due it's usually paid online before release. Lines that hand over to USPS for the last mile often switch to a new tracking number.
Unit number, buzzer and a US phone number avoid most failed deliveries.
Timing
Allow about a week for items to reach the Usfans warehouse and be photographed, then the line's transit. Plan around Chinese New Year in late January or February, when sellers and warehouses slow down, and around the November–December peak, when couriers and customs are busiest. A gift for the holidays is safer ordered in early November.
Order early for December, and avoid shipping right before Chinese New Year.
Before your first US order
- Check the site: several look-alike Usfans domains exist; our real-site check lists them.
- Estimate the parcel with the shipping estimator, then compare with real line prices.
- Combine items within the 90 days of free storage to pay one set of fees.
- Compare agents if US lines matter most; our agent comparison hub lists alternatives with check dates.
Real site, one combined parcel, duties-paid line.
FAQ
Do I pay duty on a small Usfans parcel to the US?
Yes. The $800 duty-free exemption was suspended for China in May 2025 and for every country in August 2025, and it remains suspended in 2026.
What is a duties-paid (DDP) line?
A shipping line whose price already includes US duties and fees, so the courier doesn't bill you on delivery.
How long does Usfans take to New York?
Allow about a week for items to reach the warehouse. Duties-paid DHL lines are listed at about five to ten days after departure; economy lines take longer.
Do I owe New York sales tax on an agent order?
If no sales tax was charged, New York's use tax applies in principle and is reported on your state return. The combined rate in New York City is 8.875%.
Is Usfans popular in the US?
The US is Usfans' third-largest search market, after Spain and France, at about 4,400 searches a month in our data.