Important Update on Shipping to the U.S.

Since late August 2025, rules for sending parcels from abroad to the United States have changed dramatically — an important update on shipping that affects all international senders. Under a new executive order from the U.S. administration, the duty-free “de minimis” threshold (which previously allowed many low-value shipments to enter the U.S. without customs duties) has been eliminated. As a result, most parcels containing goods now face additional restrictions or even rejection at U.S. customs. 

However, there is an important exception: private parcels sent from one individual to another, declared explicitly as a “gift” and with a total declared value of no more than USD 100, may still be shipped under certain conditions.

For customers of Aukciony, this means the following new rules must be strictly observed — otherwise the parcel is very likely to be blocked, returned, or lost.

What Is Allowed: Small “Gift” Parcels Only

• Parcels can only contain a small quantity of items, for example: 1–2 books, 1–2 pieces of inexpensive jewelry, 1–2 T-shirts, or similar modest items. These must be packaged as a personal gift — “home packaging” is acceptable.
• The total declared value must not exceed $100, and the parcel must be declared as a gift (not commercial sale or merchandise).
• Shipping is possible only from a private person to a private person, not from a business or for resale.

This special allowance makes it technically possible to send small souvenirs, lightweight handmade items, or simple gifts to U.S. clients — but only under these strict conditions.

Many postal operators worldwide — including those used by senders from Russia and Europe — paused standard parcel shipments to the U.S. after the new rules took effect. On November 17, 2025, Russian Post announced that it has resumed — but only under the “gift up to $100” regime.

What Happens If Rules Are Ignored — Risks of Sending Oversized or High-Value Parcels

If a parcel exceeds $100 in declared value, or contains many items or expensive items, or is sent as commercial goods rather than a gift, then one of the following may happen:

1. The parcel fails to pass U.S. customs clearance and is returned. In that case, the shipping fee is lost, and the sender or receiver will have to pay the return-shipping fee in order to get the package back.
2. The parcel reaches U.S. customs, but the recipient must prove that the value is under $100. If customs is not convinced — for example, because the contents seem expensive or voluminous — they may hold or confiscate the parcel.
3. Even if customs accepts it, there is roughly a 50/50 chance the parcel gets stopped for additional inspection.The larger, bulkier or more valuable-looking the parcel, the higher the likelihood of being held.

In practice, this means that seemingly harmless items — such as small collectible 3D models, decorative figurines, or other modest-looking objects — are in fact likely to pass through customs without being stopped.

If customs decides to hold the parcel, it may sit in a warehouse for a long time while value and origin are being verified; the recipient may need to provide proof of value and confirm that the parcel is indeed a gift.

An important update on shipping: Why These Restrictions Were Introduced

The root cause is the end of the U.S. duty-free “de minimis” treatment: previously, many low-value parcels (e.g. under $800) could enter the United States without customs duties. That exemption was removed in August 2025, when the administration enacted a new regulation changing how imports are taxed and inspected.

This shift affects postal shipments worldwide. As a result, many international postal operators temporarily suspended acceptance of goods-containing parcels bound for the U.S., citing uncertainty about how customs duties will be collected and what additional data will be required.

The only exception allowed under the new rules is small, clearly declared personal gifts under $100. Even those, however, are under much stricter scrutiny than before.

What This Means for Aukciony Customers — Best Practices & Recommendations

To minimize risk and ensure that your parcels reach U.S. clients, follow these guidelines carefully:

• Send only small parcels, with no more than 1–2 items per parcel.
• Use simple home packaging — no elaborate commercial wrapping, no excessive volume.
• Mark the parcel clearly as a “Gift – Personal Use” (not “Merchandise,” “Sale,” or anything that implies commercial intent).
• Keep the declared total value at or below $100 — do not try to undervalue expensive items.
• ⚠️ Avoid bulky, heavy, or obviously valuable goods such as designer bags, luxury watches, expensive electronics, or collectibles that may draw customs attention.
• Please note: we ship exclusively via standard postal services. We can send your parcel as a gift, but the risks described above still apply. If you decide to proceed despite these risks, please contact our manager to confirm the shipping cost and estimated delivery time.

By adhering to these rules, you can still send small gifts, books, jewelry, or T-shirts — but the margin for error is now very small. Any deviation may lead to parcel loss, return, or long delays.

Final Words

The new U.S. customs rules introduced in August 2025 fundamentally changed how parcels from Europe, Russia, and elsewhere are handled. For individuals sending gifts to friends or customers in the U.S., only small personal parcels under $100 remain reliably deliverable. Sending bulk goods, multiple items, or expensive merchandise without declaring them properly — or attempting to send commercial shipments through ordinary postal channels — now carries a high risk of rejection, loss, or prolonged delay.

If you plan to ship anything beyond simple, modest gifts — for example, multiple items, collectibles, or higher-value goods — you should reconsider the shipping method and assess customs duties — or avoid sending at all.

We hope this clarifies the new rules and helps you make informed decisions when shipping to the United States via Aukciony.

FAQ: How to Buy Goods from Russia

How do I place an order?
Use the official order form on Aukciony’s website: Order Form. You simply paste the links to your chosen parts, confirm the total price. And submit your request.

How much does packaging cost?
Packaging varies from 9 to 24 euros, depending on size and fragility. For example, a dress costs about 9 euros. A porcelain figurine (fragile, requires strong protection) may be 20–30 euros.

How much does shipping cost?
Shipping costs depend on the weight and destination country. Export registration is 15 euros. Delivery rates depend on the destination country.

How long does delivery take?
Delivery times vary by country. To Europe — 2 to 5 weeks, to Georgia — 1 to 2 weeks. !!! Shipping to the US is available only as a gift and for items in the parcel <100$ .

Can I order several items from one seller?
Yes, you can. Create one order, indicate the total amount for all items. Then list the links and characteristics of all items in the comment field and set the quantity to one. After confirmation, you can pay.

Are there restrictions on what can be shipped?
Some items are not accepted for purchase. Always check with your manager before ordering.

Can I buy directly using a Russian address?
If you have a Russian phone number and a local bank card, yes! Use Aukciony’s Russian address. If you don’t, simply place your order through Aukciony’s buying form. International transfers to Russia don’t work, but Aukciony can handle everything on your behalf.

Nice shopping!

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