Prepay duties on every U.S. and EU-bound shipment through a Zonos Verified Account
Under new U.S. requirements, postal shipments valued under $2,500 USD (excluding documents and personal gifts valued under $100 USD) must have customs duties prepaid before they can be imported into the United States. Additionally, as of July 1, 2026, many countries in the EU require shipments to be sent with duties prepaid.
To support Japan Post business customers, Zonos partnered with Japan Post to provide Verified Accounts for their merchants. Starting October 1, 2026 (JST), Verified Accounts support shipments to the U.S. and select EU destinations. See What you can do with your Verified Account for the full list of destinations.
When a Verified Account is/is not needed
A Verified Account is needed if you have a business account with Japan Post and you ship packages under $2,500 USD to the U.S., or ship to a supported EU destination. If you are a casual shipper, you can use the Zonos app instead.
Verified Accounts keep your shipments moving. With a Verified Account, Zonos collects duties from you and remits them to the destination's customs authority on your behalf, fulfilling the requirement for prepaid duties on postal shipments.
This allows Japan Post to continue issuing labels — knowing duties will be properly calculated, collected, and paid. Here's how it works:
Create your Japan Post shipping labels in a supported shipping platform or carrier, the Zonos Dashboard, or via the Zonos API. Each label includes a Declaration ID confirming the duties will be paid.
Print and close your manifest when you're ready to hand parcels to Japan Post.
Japan Post ships your parcel to its destination.
After your parcels are inducted into the postal stream, Zonos charges your card on file for the duties and clearance fee, then remits the duties to the destination's customs authority. For EU shipments that use Zonos' IOSS number, Zonos also charges the taxes (VAT) and remits them to the EU.
Each shipment needs a Declaration ID associated with the shipment and listed on the Japan Post label. The Declaration ID is proof that duties will be paid and is required for the Japan Post postal clerk to accept and ship your parcels. To attach a Declaration ID to every shipment, merchants create their Japan Post labels through Zonos. Each option produces the same compliant Japan Post label with a Declaration ID linked to the tracking number.
Create labels with supported platforms and carriers
For merchants using the e-commerce platforms and carrier tools you already ship with. Use your Verified Account directly inside the platforms and carrier tools you already use. Now available in Ship&co App and API, with more integrations on the way.
For small and mid-size merchants who don't want to write code. Create labels and upload orders in bulk through the Zonos Dashboard. Best for moderate volume or for merchants whose tools already export shipment data as CSV.
For merchants and 3PLs with development resources. Integrate your fulfillment system with the Zonos GraphQL API to create labels programmatically. Best for higher-volume shippers who already have a fulfillment workflow.
Verified accounts
Verified Accounts for Japan Post
Prepay duties on every U.S. and EU-bound shipment through a Zonos Verified Account
Under new U.S. requirements, postal shipments valued under $2,500 USD (excluding documents and personal gifts valued under $100 USD) must have customs duties prepaid before they can be imported into the United States. Additionally, as of July 1, 2026, many countries in the EU require shipments to be sent with duties prepaid.
To support Japan Post business customers, Zonos partnered with Japan Post to provide Verified Accounts for their merchants. Starting October 1, 2026 (JST), Verified Accounts support shipments to the U.S. and select EU destinations. See What you can do with your Verified Account for the full list of destinations.
A Verified Account is needed if you have a business account with Japan Post and you ship packages under $2,500 USD to the U.S., or ship to a supported EU destination. If you are a casual shipper, you can use the Zonos app instead.
What is a Verified Account?
Verified Accounts keep your shipments moving. With a Verified Account, Zonos collects duties from you and remits them to the destination's customs authority on your behalf, fulfilling the requirement for prepaid duties on postal shipments.
This allows Japan Post to continue issuing labels — knowing duties will be properly calculated, collected, and paid. Here's how it works:
Ways to create labels
Each shipment needs a Declaration ID associated with the shipment and listed on the Japan Post label. The Declaration ID is proof that duties will be paid and is required for the Japan Post postal clerk to accept and ship your parcels. To attach a Declaration ID to every shipment, merchants create their Japan Post labels through Zonos. Each option produces the same compliant Japan Post label with a Declaration ID linked to the tracking number.
Create labels with supported platforms and carriers
For merchants using the e-commerce platforms and carrier tools you already ship with. Use your Verified Account directly inside the platforms and carrier tools you already use. Now available in Ship&co App and API, with more integrations on the way.
Create labels with supported platforms and carriers →
Create labels in Dashboard
For small and mid-size merchants who don't want to write code. Create labels and upload orders in bulk through the Zonos Dashboard. Best for moderate volume or for merchants whose tools already export shipment data as CSV.
Create labels in Dashboard →
Create labels via API
For merchants and 3PLs with development resources. Integrate your fulfillment system with the Zonos GraphQL API to create labels programmatically. Best for higher-volume shippers who already have a fulfillment workflow.
Create labels via API →
Next steps
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