From 29 August 2025, the United States suspended its de minimis exemption, which previously allowed goods valued under USD 800 to enter duty-free. Now, all shipments with commercial value are subject to duties and taxes, regardless of declared value.

For shippers in Singapore, this regulatory shift has two big consequences:

1. Standard postal lanes for commercial items have been suspended.
2. Only premium or specially designed services can be used for parcels with commercial value bound for the US.

To support compliance, SingPost introduced updates to its Speedpost services, while JustShip rolled out new shipping options tailored for US shipments. This blog compares both providers side by side, so you can decide which option best fits your needs.

SingPost’s Updated USA Shipping Services

SingPost now offers Speedpost Direct International and Speedpost Express International for US shipments with commercial value.

• Speedpost Express International:Available to both retail and corporate customers, this service delivers in 3–6 working days and supports parcels up to 20 kg. Liability coverage is slightly higher (S$150 per shipment). Unlike Direct, Express usually operates on a Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) basis, meaning the recipient pays duties and taxes unless special arrangements are made.
• Speedpost Direct International:
  • Retail version uses flat-rate pricing with SingPost-provided packaging (envelope or box). Shipments are capped at 2 kg and USD 100 in value. It always runs on a Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) model, so duties and taxes are prepaid at the counter. Predictable for recipients, but restrictive for senders.
  • Corporate version is more flexible, allowing parcels up to 20 kg (longest side ≤76 cm), with duties billed to an account under DDP. However, liability is capped at just S$100 per shipment, limiting protection for valuable goods.

JustShip’s USA Shipping Services

JustShip created two distinct tiers to give shippers options for cost, speed, and compliance.

• JustShip Express (for all customers): The fastest service, delivering in 2–5 business days with no strict weight caps. For US shipments, duties and taxes cannot be prepaid — they are determined by US customs and billed to the recipient (DDU only). Optional insurance covers up to USD 10,000, making this best for urgent or higher-value items where speed and protection are key.
• JustShip Standard (exclusive to sellers): The most economical service, with delivery in 8–14 business days and a 5 kg weight limit. This tier is DDP-only, ensuring duties are prepaid and recipients avoid surprise charges. Best for low-value goods where predictability matters more than speed. Here’s how to meet KYC and prove Country of Origin for US-bound shipments.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Speedpost Express vs JustShip Express

Speedpost Direct International vs JustShip Standard

Which Service Fits Your Needs?

For Normal Consumers

• Small, low-value gifts: Speedpost Direct International (Retail) is the simplest option if your parcel is ≤2 kg and ≤USD 100. Duties are prepaid, so recipients don’t face surprise charges.
• Urgent or high-value items: JustShip Express offers faster delivery and allows optional insurance up to USD 10,000. The trade-off: duties cannot be prepaid for US shipments, so recipients must pay US customs charges.

For Sellers

• Account-based shipping needs: Speedpost Direct International (Corporate) may suit SMEs that prefer a traditional account setup with DDP billed directly, but liability is capped at just S$100 per shipment.
• Flexible, tiered solutions: JustShip’s services are designed for e-commerce sellers:
  • Express for urgent or high-value shipments, offering DDU or DDP flexibility.
  • Standard for budget lightweight shipments, with DDP included by default to protect customer experience.

Tips for Shippers

• Always provide accurate HS codes and Country of Origin to avoid customs delays. To make this easier, JustShip offers AI-powered HS code suggestions, helping you classify your goods accurately and reduce the risk of customs issues. If you’re unsure how to prepare these, check out our guide: How to Prove Country of Origin and Meet KYC for DDP Shipping to USA (2025 Update).

• Decide upfront whether duties should be handled under DDP or DDU, and set clear expectations with your recipient.
• Remember that Speedpost Direct International requires SingPost-provided packaging.
• Consider insurance for valuable items: SingPost has low liability caps, while JustShip Express covers up to USD 10,000.
• Compare the total landed cost — shipping, duties, taxes, and surcharges — not just the base rate.

Conclusion

With the de minimis exemption gone, shipping to the US has become more complex and costly. Duties and taxes now apply to every commercial shipment, making DDP vs DDU a key factor in choosing the right service.

• For consumers: SingPost’s Speedpost Direct International (Retail) works for small, low-value gifts, while JustShip Express is the better choice for urgent or high-value parcels thanks to faster transit and stronger insurance, even though duties must be paid by the recipient.
• For sellers: Speedpost Direct International (Corporate) offers account-based DDP billing, but its limited liability makes it less protective. JustShip’s tiered system is designed for e-commerce, offering Express for urgent shipments and Standard for budget parcels with prepaid duties included.

The right choice depends on your shipment’s size, value, urgency, and who should handle duties and taxes. By comparing carefully and planning ahead, you can ship to the US with confidence under the new rules.