Beginning of 2026:
Every single item must go through full customs processing
Recent U.S. customs rule changes eliminated the long‑standing “de minimis” exemption, which used to allow goods under USD 800 to enter duty‑free. Starting 29 August 2025, all goods—no matter how low their value—require full customs processing and duties.
Letters, documents, and personal correspondence are not affected and remain mailable. Magyar Posta and many European postal operators temporarily suspended sending any item that contains goods to the U.S. This includes parcels and envelopes that contain merchandise (such as small products, samples, accessories).
Gifts under USD 100 between private individuals remain duty‑free, but many postal operators still restrict them due to processing uncertainty. If your envelope contains anything other than documents, postal staff must treat it as a merchandise shipment — and those are currently suspended for the USA.
Why the post office won’t accept it
Even if it’s tiny, light, handmade, or “not worth much,” a pouch counts as a good under U.S. customs rules. And right now, Hungary (and many EU countries) have suspended all shipments of goods to the USA via regular postal mail because the U.S. requires full customs data and duties for every item. So from the postal perspective: if it’s not paper, it’s treated as merchandise, even if it fits in a flat envelope.
Options? Wait for postal service reinstatement
Postal operators are still adjusting to the new U.S. customs rules. Some countries have already resumed service; others are still suspended. Hungary may reopen the service later.
Courier services
Most couriers continue to ship to the U.S.A. including DHL Express, FedEx, UPS. Prices will be around €100. Clearly, they’re more expensive, but they handle the customs process that the postal service currently cannot.
End of 2025: For the next few months, I won’t be able to send out pouches. Just keep that in mind when ordering. You’re welcome to purchase now, and I’ll set yours aside safely until I can ship it out to you.
These pouches are set aside to ship as soon as I am back home
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