How to Use International Mail-Order Safely and Legally in 2025 (New Rules for Medications)

Buying medication from overseas used to be simple. For years, Americans could order pills, creams, or supplements from Canada, India, or Europe for a fraction of U.S. prices-often under $50-and pay nothing extra at the border. The $800 de minimis rule meant packages under that value slipped through customs duty-free. That changed on August 29, 2025. Now, if you’re ordering medication internationally, you’re facing a completely new system. And if you don’t understand it, your package could be seized, you could owe hundreds in unexpected fees, or worse-you could break the law.

What Changed in August 2025

The big shift? The U.S. ended the $800 duty-free threshold for all international mail. Before, you could order $700 worth of insulin from Germany and pay nothing extra. Now, even a $25 bottle of blood pressure pills gets taxed. Only two types of shipments still avoid duties: private gifts under $100 (no commercial labels allowed) and certain medical devices approved by the FDA.

This isn’t just about money. It’s about control. The government now requires every commercial shipment-yes, even your personal medication order-to be tracked, classified, and taxed. The U.S. Postal Service now demands a six-digit Harmonized System (HS) code for every item. For medication, that code is usually under Chapter 30 (Pharmaceuticals). If you get it wrong, customs might apply a 300% higher duty rate. One person on Reddit ordered $48 of metformin from India and got hit with an $80 duty under the new flat-rate system. The medication cost less than the tax.

Two Ways Customs Collects Duties (Until February 2026)

Right now, you’re stuck in a transition period that ends February 28, 2026. During this time, carriers can choose one of two methods to collect duties:

• Method 1 (Ad Valorem): They calculate duty as a percentage of the item’s declared value. For most medications, this is around 2-5%. So a $60 bottle of lisinopril might cost $1.20-$3 in duty.
• Method 2 (Flat Rate): A fixed fee based on the country of origin. If the country has a tariff rate under 16%, you pay $80. Between 16-25%, it’s $160. Over 25%, it’s $200. This is where things get dangerous. Many countries selling low-cost meds (like India, Turkey, or Mexico) fall into the lower tariff brackets-but $80 on a $30 pill is a total loss.

Most carriers, including Deutsche Post and DHL Parcel Germany, stopped accepting business parcels to the U.S. after August 22, 2025, because they couldn’t figure out which method to use. That means if you’re trying to order from a small pharmacy overseas, your package may not even leave the country.

What You Need to Send or Receive Medication Legally

If you still want to order medication from abroad, here’s what you must do:

1. Know the HS code. For prescription drugs, it’s usually 3004.90 (other medicaments). For supplements, it’s 2106.90. Use the USITC Tariff Database to look up your exact product. Don’t guess. A wrong code = big fines.
2. Get a commercial invoice. This isn’t a receipt. It must list: exact drug name, strength, quantity, manufacturer, country of origin, and value in U.S. dollars. No vague terms like "health supplement" or "gift." Customs will reject it.
3. Use a bonded carrier. USPS and most foreign postal services no longer handle commercial shipments. Your only options are DHL Express, FedEx, or UPS. These carriers have customs brokers built in. But they charge more-often $25-$40 just for handling.
4. Don’t lie about the value. Declaring $10 for a $150 prescription is fraud. CBP uses AI to flag patterns. If you’re caught, your package is seized, you could be fined up to $100,000, and future shipments get flagged permanently.
5. Check FDA rules. The FDA allows personal importation of non-FDA-approved drugs only under strict conditions: it’s for a serious condition, no U.S. equivalent exists, and you’re bringing in no more than a 3-month supply. If you’re ordering Viagra or insulin from India, you’re probably fine. If you’re ordering unapproved weight-loss pills, you’re risking seizure.

Who Pays the Duty? (And Why It Matters)

This is the biggest point of confusion. Who pays? The sender? The receiver? The carrier?

The answer: It depends on the Incoterm (shipping term) used. Most international pharmacies use DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), meaning they pay the duty upfront and include it in your price. But many don’t. If they use DAP (Delivered at Place), you pay at the border.

If you’re the buyer and you don’t know who’s paying, you could get a surprise bill from Customs months later. Or worse-you get a notice that your package was destroyed because duties weren’t paid.

Always ask the seller: "Do you pay U.S. customs duties under DDP?" If they say "no," find another source.

Why Most Small Orders Won’t Work Anymore

Let’s say you buy a $40 bottle of metformin from a pharmacy in India. Under the old system, you paid $40 and got it in 10 days. Now:

• You need to use FedEx or DHL Express: $55 shipping fee
• Duty under Method 2: $80
• Carrier handling fee: $30
• Total cost: $205

That’s five times the original price. Even under Method 1 (2% duty), you’re still looking at $40 + $55 + $30 + $0.80 = $125.80. It’s not worth it.

The Postal Regulatory Commission estimates 70% of low-value international mail-order (under $200) will vanish by 2026. That’s not a trend-it’s a collapse. For people relying on overseas meds to save money, the only real option now is to buy in bulk (3-6 months’ supply) to spread the fixed shipping and duty costs over more pills.

Legal Alternatives to International Mail-Order

If the cost and risk are too high, here are safer, legal options:

• Canadian pharmacies with U.S. shipping: Many licensed Canadian pharmacies (like Canada Drugs Direct) already handle U.S. customs and FDA rules. They use DDP and offer prices 40-60% lower than U.S. pharmacies.
• U.S. pharmacy discount programs: GoodRx, SingleCare, and Blink Health let you compare prices at local pharmacies. Some insulin prices are now under $25 with coupons.
• Medication assistance programs: Many drugmakers (Pfizer, Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly) offer free or low-cost programs for low-income patients. You don’t need insurance.
• Regional fulfillment hubs: Some companies now warehouse meds in Mexico or Canada and ship them domestically to U.S. customers. This avoids international customs entirely.

What Happens If You Get Caught

The consequences aren’t theoretical. CBP seized over 12,000 international medication packages in the first 90 days after the new rules took effect. Most were from online pharmacies selling unapproved drugs.

If your package is caught:

• It’s destroyed or returned
• You get a notice of violation
• You may be fined up to $100,000 for false declaration
• Your name is added to a CBP watchlist-future shipments get extra screening

There’s no warning. No second chance. One mistake, and your international shopping privileges vanish.

Final Advice: Is It Worth It?

If you’re ordering a $150 insulin pen from Germany, maybe. The savings could justify the $100 in fees. But if you’re buying $25 pills for anxiety or cholesterol? Probably not.

The system is now designed to stop small, unregulated drug shipments. It’s not about safety-it’s about control. The government wants you to buy through U.S. pharmacies, even if they’re expensive.

Your best move? Talk to your doctor. Ask about patient assistance programs. Use discount cards. Consider switching to a generic brand. And if you still want to order overseas, do it with your eyes wide open: know the HS code, use a bonded carrier, confirm DDP, and never lie about the value.

This isn’t the end of international medication access. But it’s the end of the easy way.