Ukrposhta and the New US Rules: Shipping a Painting After 24 July 2026

Starting on 24 July 2026, the United States changed the customs clearance procedure for international postal shipments. The single 10% duty rate was abolished — the amount payable now depends on the product category. Ukrposhta updated its systems in advance and continues to deliver shipments to the United States, while some European postal operators have suspended this route.

What changed

The main change is the individual calculation of customs duties. Instead of applying one rate to all commercial shipments, U.S. Customs now determines the amount based on the product category. For artists, this means that the accuracy of the tariff code and description directly affects the amount that will have to be paid.

Ukrposhta updated its software on 21 July 2026, three days before the new rules came into force. Payments are calculated automatically, but the sender is responsible for entering the required information.

Commercial shipments must now be processed online

This is the most important practical change. A commercial parcel to the United States must be processed in advance through the Personal Account on the Ukrposhta website. At a post office, shipments without prior online processing will only be accepted as non-commercial items — gifts.

When creating the shipment, you must provide an accurate description of the contents and a ten-digit product code. The U.S. Customs analytical system evaluates both the code and the written description — so inconsistencies between them or overly general wording can result in an inflated duty calculation or a delay.

Codes in the 9701 group are used for original paintings, while 9702 applies to original graphic works and prints. The exact classification of a specific artwork should be checked in advance.

Gifts: the limit remains, but with a restriction

The rules for gifts have not changed: the duty-free threshold remains USD 100. However, a quantity restriction now applies — one sender may send no more than five such parcels. For gifts worth more than USD 100, customs duty is charged and paid by the sender.

It is also worth remembering what we noted in our article about U.S. customs tariffs: marking a commercial order as a “gift” does not work and may result in the shipment being delayed.

Who acts as the guarantor before U.S. Customs

During the transition period, Ukrposhta supports customs clearance, resolves procedural issues and acts as a financial guarantor before U.S. Customs. The operator works with the U.S. customs broker Zonos, which specializes in the postal channel and serves more than 70 national postal operators that are members of the Universal Postal Union.

Shipments processed before the new rules came into force are delivered without changes.

What happens next

The second stage of changes to U.S. customs rules is scheduled for 22 October 2026 — it will apply to selected product categories. Ukrposhta says it will adapt its services for this stage as well.

For Ukrainian artists and handmade sellers, the U.S. market remains an active destination: Ukrposhta handles around 350,000 export shipments for Ukrainian businesses every month. The key is to complete each shipment correctly the first time.

Before shipping: a quick checklist

— process commercial parcels through the Personal Account rather than at a post office;
— select the correct ten-digit code and make sure the written description matches it;
— do not understate the value: insurance compensation is based on the declared amount;
— for gifts, remember the USD 100 limit and the maximum of five shipments per sender;
— plan shipments with the second stage of changes in October in mind.