PART 145—MAIL IMPORTATIONS Authority: 19 U.S.C. 66, 1202 (General Note 3(i)), Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, 1624. Section 145.4 also issued under 18 U.S.C. 545, 19 U.S.C. 1618; Section 145.11 also issued under 19 U.S.C. 1481, 1485, 1498; Section 145.12 also issued under 19 U.S.C. 1315, 1484, 1498; Section 145.15 is also issued under 19 U.S.C. 1623; Sections 145.22 through 145.23 also issued under 19 U.S.C. 1501, 1514; Section 145.31 also issued under 19 U.S.C. 1321; Section 145.32 also issued under 19 U.S.C. 1321, 1498; Sections 145.35 through 145.38, 145.41, also issued under 19 U.S.C. 1498; Section 145.51 also issued under 19 U.S.C. 1305; Section 145.54 also issued under 19 U.S.C. 1618; Subpart G also issued under 19 U.S.C. 1415, 1436. Source: T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, unless otherwise noted. § 145.0 Scope. (a) The provisions of this part apply only to mail subject to Customs examination as set forth in § 145.2. This part contains regulations pertaining specifically to the importation of merchandise through the mail but does not contain all the regulations applicable to mail importations. Importations by mail are subject to the same requirements and restrictions as importations by any other means, except where more specific procedures for mail importations are set forth in this part. The fee applicable to each item of dutiable mail (other than Inbound Express Mail Service (EMS) items) for which Customs prepares documentation, and the fee applicable to all EMS items, is set forth in § 24.22 of this chapter. (b) This part also contains regulations requiring the United States Postal Service (USPS) to transmit certain advance electronic data (AED) to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for certain inbound international mail shipments as set forth in subpart G of this part. [86 FR 14278, Mar. 15, 2021] Subpart A—General Provisions § 145.1 Definitions. (a) Mail article. (b) Letter class mail. (c) Sealed letter class mail. [T.D. 78-102, 43 FR 14454, Apr. 6, 1978] § 145.2 Mail subject to Customs examination. (a) Restrictions. (b) Generally. (1) Mail known or believed to contain only official documents addressed to officials of the U.S. Government; (2) Mail addressed to Ambassadors and Ministers (Chiefs of Diplomatic Missions) of foreign countries; and (3) Letter class mail known or believed to contain only correspondence or documents addressed to diplomatic missions, consular posts, or the officers thereof, or to international organizations designated by the President as public international organizations pursuant to the International Organizations Act (see § 148.87(b) of this chapter). Mail, other than letter class mail, addressed to the designated international organizations is subject to Customs examination except where the organization certifies under its official seal that the mail contains no dutiable or prohibited articles. Any Customs examination made shall, upon request of the addressee international organization, take place in the presence of an appropriate representative of that organization. [T.D. 78-102, 43 FR 14454, Apr. 6, 1978] § 145.3 Opening of letter class mail; reading of correspondence prohibited. (a) Matter in addition to correspondence. (b) Only correspondence. (1) A search warrant authorizing that action has been obtained from an appropriate judge of United States magistrate, or (2) The sender or the addressee has given written authorization for the opening. (c) Reading of correspondence. (1) A search warrant authorizing that action has been obtained from an appropriate judge or United States magistrate, or (2) The sender or the addressee has given written authorization for the reading. (d) Other types of correspondence. (e) Certain Virgin Islands mail. (1) A search warrant authorizing that action has been obtained from an appropriate judge or United States magistrate, or (2) The sender or the addressee has been given written authorization for the opening. [T.D. 78-102, 43 FR 14454, Apr. 6, 1978] § 145.4 Dutiable merchandise without declaration or invoice, prohibited merchandise, and merchandise imported contrary to law. (a) Subject to seizure and forfeiture. (b) Mitigation of forfeiture. (c) Collection of mitigated forfeiture. (d) Petition for relief. [T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973] Editorial Note: For Federal Register www.govinfo.gov. § 145.5 Undeliverable packages. Mail articles which are refused or undeliverable, except mail articles for which a mail fine entry has been issued in accordance with § 145.4(c), will be marked by the postmaster to show why delivery was not made, and will be forwarded to the proper exchange post office for return to the country of origin. Mail entries will be removed from the mail articles and returned to Customs for cancellation. If, for any reason, an undeliverable mail article known or supposed to be dutiable is not returned to the country of origin or forwarded to another country in accordance with the Postal regulations, it will be delivered to Customs for disposition under the Customs laws and regulations governing seized or unclaimed merchandise. Subpart B—Requirements and Procedures § 145.11 Declarations of value and invoices. (a) Customs declaration. (b) Invoice or statement of commercial value. (c) [Reserved] (d) Shipments without declaration and invoice. [T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 76-103, 41 FR 14731, Apr. 7, 1976; T.D. 78-102, 43 FR 14454, Apr. 6, 1978; T.D. 85-39, 50 FR 9612, Mar. 11, 1985] § 145.12 Entry of merchandise. (a) Formal entries Discretionary. (2) Required. (i) Formal entry is required for every mail importation which exceeds $2,500 in value, except for special classes of merchandise which can be released without entry (see subpart D of this part), and except as provided in subparts B and C of part 143 and § 10.1 of this chapter. (ii) Formal entry is required for any merchandise of a class or kind provided for in any absolute or tariff-rate quota, whether the quota is open or closed. In the case of merchandise of a class or kind provided for in a tariff-rate quota, the merchandise is subject to the rate of duty in effect on the date of entry. (iii) Formal entry is required for merchandise subject to any antidumping or countervailing duty determination, instruction, or order issued by the Department of Commerce; or any other merchandise otherwise precluded by law from eligibility for informal entry. (iv) Formal entry is required for alcoholic beverages, cigars (including cheroots and cigarillos) and cigarettes containing tobacco, cigarette tubes, cigarette papers, smoking tobacco (including water pipe tobacco, pipe tobacco, and roll-your-own tobacco), snuff, or chewing tobacco. (v) Formal entry is required for any mail shipment subject to the requirements of another government agency. (vi) Formal entry is required for any merchandise subject to duties under Chapter 98 or Chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), or for which duty-free treatment is claimed under Chapter 98 of the HTSUS or pursuant to a Free Trade Agreement. (3) Separate shipments. (4) Notice of formal entry requirement. (b) Mail and informal entries Preparation of entry form. (2) Rates of duty and payment. Pay.gov (3) Postal informal entry process. (i) Filer Code; (ii) Bond Number; (iii) Description of Merchandise; (iv) Country of Origin of Merchandise; (v) All Applicable 10-digit HTSUS Classification(s); (vi) Quantity/Weight (conditional and required ONLY if using a specific duty rate); (vii) Duty Rate; (viii) Value; (ix) Total Duty Owed; (x) Carrier; (xi) Flight/Conveyance Number; (xii) Tracking Number (generated by the foreign post operator); (xiii) Arrival Port; and (xiv) Arrival Date. (c) Dutiable shipments not over $2,500 for Government agencies. (d) Release without entry. (e) Unaccompanied shipments Mail entry to be attached. (2) Disposition of CBP Form 255. [T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973] Editorial Note: For Federal Register www.govinfo.gov. § 145.13 Internal revenue tax on mail entries. (a) Method of collection. (b) Release without payment of tax. [T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 78-329, 43 FR 43455, Sept. 26, 1978] § 145.14 Marking requirements. (a) Country of origin. (b) Other marking requirements. (c) Failure to mark. [T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 78-102, 43 FR 14454, Apr. 6, 1978; CBP Dec. No. 16-26, 81 FR 93020, Dec. 20, 2016] § 145.15 Bonding requirements for informal mail entries. Each shipment valued at $2,500 or less which is to be delivered by the United States Postal Service, pursuant to § 145.12(b), will not be released from CBP custody unless a single transaction or continuous bond containing or meeting the bond conditions set forth in § 113.62 of this chapter has been transmitted to CBP pursuant to part 113 of this chapter, and has been secured by an approved corporate surety, or cash deposits as provided for in § 113.40 of this chapter. [91 FR 37821, June 24, 2026] Subpart C—Administrative Review of Mail Entries § 145.21 Administrative review. Requests for adjustment of the amount of duty assessed under mail entries shall be handled as requests for administrative review in accordance with this subpart. § 145.22 Procedures for obtaining administrative review. If an addressee is dissatisfied with the amount of duty assessed under a mail entry made before December 18, 2004, he may obtain administrative review in the following ways: (a) He may pay the assessed duty, take delivery of the merchandise, and send a copy of the mail entry to the issuing CBP office indicated on the mail entry, together with a statement of the reason it is believed the duty assessed is incorrect. Any invoices, bills of sale, or other evidence should be submitted with the statement. The addressee may show the mail entry number and date on his statement instead of sending a copy of the mail entry, but this may result in delay. (b) He may postpone acceptance of the shipment, and within the time allowed by the Postal regulations provide the postmaster with a written statement of his objections. The postmaster will forward the mail entry together with the addressee's statement and any invoices, bills of sale, or other evidence submitted by the addressee to the port director who issued the entry, and retain custody of the shipment until advice is received from the port director as to the disposition to be made. If the addressee is located near one of the ports at which CBP officers are authorized to review mail entries (see 39 CFR 10.5), the postmaster may send the mail entry to that port, together with the addressee's statement and evidence, for reconsideration by the port director. (c) He may pay the assessed duty and take delivery of the merchandise, and file a protest under section 514, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1514), in the form and manner prescribed in part 174 of this chapter. For mail entries made before December 18, 2004, a protest must be filed no later than 90 days after payment of the duties by the addressee. All other mail entries must be protested within 180 days after payment of the duties by the addressee. [T.D. 73-175, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 78-99, 43 FR 13061, Mar. 29, 1978; CBP Dec. 11-02, 76 FR 2575, Jan. 14, 2011] § 145.23 Time limits. A mail entry made before December 18, 2004 may be amended under section 520(c), Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1520(c)), only if the addressee requests such amendment within the time limits prescribed therein (see §§ 173.4 and 173.5 of this chapter), and the claim is allowable under section 520(c). Requests for adjustment in the amount of duty assessed under mail entries made under § 145.22(a) must be made in such time that the request can be acted upon by the port director within 90 days after receipt of the mail article and payment of the duties by the addressee. For a mail entry made before December 18, 2004, protests under § 145.22(c) of this chapter must be filed no later than 90 days after payment of the duties by the addressee, but may be acted upon by CBP after expiration of that 90-day period. For a mail entry made on or after December 18, 2004, protests under § 145.22(c) of this chapter must be filed no later than 180 days after payment of the duties by the addressee, but may be acted upon by CBP after expiration of that 180-day period. [T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 78-102, 43 FR 14454, Apr. 6, 1978; CBP Dec. 11-02, 76 FR 2576, Jan. 14, 2011] § 145.24 Amendment of entry. If the port director is satisfied that the objection is valid and timely, he shall amend the mail entry. If the duty has already been paid, Customs shall issue an appropriate refund of duty. § 145.25 Entry correct. If the port director believes the duty originally assessed was correct, he shall send the addressee a notice in writing that the request for refund of duty has been denied. If the duty has not been paid, the mail entry shall be returned to the postmaster concerned, together with a copy of the notice sent to the addressee. The postmaster will then collect the duty and deliver the shipment, or, if the addressee refuses to pay the duty, will treat the shipment as undeliverable. § 145.26 Rates of duty not binding. Rates of duty assessed on a mail entry, whether assessed on the original entry or as amendments under § 145.24, are not binding for future importations. A binding ruling on tariff classification may be obtained in accordance with the procedures set forth in part 177 of this chapter. [T.D. 73-175, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended at 38 FR 17469, July 2, 1973; T.D. 78-99, 43 FR 13061, Mar. 29, 1978] Subpart D—Special Classes of Merchandise § 145.31 Importations not over $800 in value. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the port director will pass free of duty and tax, without preparing an entry as provided for in § 145.12, packages containing merchandise having an aggregate fair retail value in the country of shipment of not over $800, subject to the requirements set forth in §§ 10.151 and 10.153 of this chapter. (b) The exemption provided in paragraph (a) of this section is suspended for merchandise arriving through the international postal network until such time as CBP determines that the application of the exemption is no longer inconsistent with the purpose of 19 U.S.C. 1321(a), no longer jeopardizes the revenue, and no longer facilitates unlawful importations. Notice of a modification or revocation of this suspension will be announced by the Commissioner in the Federal Register [91 FR 37821, June 24, 2026] § 145.32 Bona-fide gifts. The port director shall pass free of duty and tax, without preparing an entry as provided for in § 145.12, articles sent as bona-fide gifts from persons in foreign countries to persons in the United States having an aggregate fair retail value in the country of shipment not exceeding $100 ($200, in the case of articles sent from persons in the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa), subject to the requirements set forth in §§ 10.152 and 10.153 of this chapter. [T.D. 94-51, 59 FR 30296, June 13, 1994] § 145.34 Personal and household effects and tools of trade. (a) U.S. military and civilian personnel returning from extended duty abroad. (b) Other personal and household effects, and tools of trade. [T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 78-102, 43 FR 14454, Apr. 6, 1978; T.D. 89-1, 53 FR 51263, Dec. 21, 1988] § 145.35 United States products returned. Products of the United States returned after having been exported, which have not been advanced in value or improved in condition while abroad, may be passed free of duty without issuing an entry and without the declarations provided for in § 10.1(a) of this chapter, provided the shipment is valued at not over $2,500 and the port director is satisfied that the merchandise is free of duty under subheading 9801.00.10, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202). [T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 85-123, 50 FR 29955, July 23, 1985; T.D. 89-1, 53 FR 51263, Dec. 21, 1988; T.D. 89-82, 54 FR 36026, Aug. 31, 1989; T.D. 94-47, 59 FR 25570, May 17, 1994; T.D. 98-28, 63 FR 16417, Apr. 3, 1998; CBP Dec. 12-19, 77 FR 72721, Dec. 6, 2012] § 145.36 Articles for institutions. Books and other articles classifiable under subheading 4903.00.00, 4904.00.00, 4905.91.00, 4905.99.00, 9701.10.00, 9701.90.00, 9810.00.05, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) (19 U.S.C. 1202), imported by and addressed directly to a library or other institution described in subheading 9810.00.05 or 9101.30, HTSUS may be passed free of duty without issuing an entry, if the port director is satisfied that the merchandise is entitled to free entry. A declaration may be required in accordance with § 10.43 of this chapter under the procedure specified in § 145.42. [T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 85-123, 50 FR 29955, July 23, 1985; T.D. 89-1, 53 FR 51263, Dec. 21, 1988] § 145.37 Articles for the U.S. Government. (a) Mail articles for copyright. (b) Books, engravings, and other articles. (c) Official Government documents. [T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 78-102, 43 FR 14454, Apr. 6, 1978; T.D. 89-1, 53 FR 51263, Dec. 21, 1988; T.D. 91-77, 56 FR 46115, Sept. 10, 1991] § 145.38 Diplomatic pouches. Mail articles bearing the official seal of a foreign government with which the United States has diplomatic relations, accompanied by certificates bearing such seal to the effect that they contain only official communications or documents, shall be admitted free of duty without Customs examination. [T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 78-102, 43 FR 14454, Apr. 6, 1978] § 145.39 Articles for diplomatic officers, representatives of international organizations, and foreign military personnel. Free entry of articles in mail articles addressed to diplomatic officers, representatives of certain international organizations, and similar persons is governed by subpart I of part 148 of this chapter. [T.D. 73-175, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 73-227, 38 FR 22548, Aug. 22, 1973; T.D. 78-102, 43 FR 14454, Apr. 6, 1978] § 145.40 Plant material imported for immediate exportation. Plant material may be imported by mail free of duty for immediate exportation by mail subject to the following regulations, which have been approved by the Department of Agriculture and the Postal Service. This procedure shall not affect the movement of plant material in the internal mails through the United States: (a) Permit for entry. (b) Place of inspection. (c) Special handling. (d) Entry not required. [T.D. 73-175, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 78-102, 43 FR 14455, Apr. 6, 1978] § 145.41 Other conditionally and unconditionally free merchandise. Shipments of conditionally or unconditionally free merchandise not specifically treated elsewhere in this part may be passed free of duty and tax without issuing an entry, if the value is not over $2,500 and the port director is satisfied that the merchandise is entitled to free entry. [T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 85-123, 50 FR 29955, July 23, 1985; T.D. 89-82, 54 FR 36026, Aug. 31, 1989; T.D. 98-28, 63 FR 16417, Apr. 3, 1998; CBP Dec. 12-19, 77 FR 72721, Dec. 6, 2012] § 145.42 Proof for conditionally free merchandise. The port director may, at his discretion, require appropriate proof of duty-free status before releasing conditionally free merchandise. This proof may be obtained by either of the following methods: (a) Retain shipment and request proof. (b) Send shipment with form and entry. § 145.43 Unaccompanied tourist shipments Unaccompanied tourist shipments for which entry is claimed under subheading 9804.00.70, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202), may be passed free of duty and tax if the requirements of § 148.115(a) of this chapter are met. The Declaration of Unaccompanied Articles, Customs Form 255, shall be removed by the Customs officer from the shipment and retained for Customs purposes. [T.D. 78-394, 43 FR 49788, Oct. 25, 1978, as amended by T.D. 89-1, 53 FR 51263, Dec. 21, 1988] Subpart E—Restricted and Prohibited Merchandise § 145.51 Articles prohibited by section 305, Tariff Act of 1930. (a) Types of articles. (1) Obscene matter; (2) Articles for causing unlawful abortion (see § 145.52 for the treatment of literature pertaining to such articles); (3) Matter advocating treason or insurrection against the United States or forcible resistance to any law of the United States; (4) Matter containing any threat to take the life of or inflict bodily harm upon any person in the United States; and (5) Lottery matter, except any lottery ticket, printed paper that may be used as a lottery ticket, or advertisement of any lottery, that is printed in Canada for use in connection with a lottery conducted in the United States. (b) Disposition of articles. [T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 92-80, 57 FR 37702, Aug. 20, 1992] § 145.52 Literature concerning devices for unlawful abortion. Mail articles containing literature or advertisements concerning devices to produce unlawful abortions, are prohibited from the mails by 18 U.S.C. 1461, and shall be retained by, or delivered to, the Postal Service for disposition under the postal laws and regulations. If the Postal Service determines in any case that it is proper to release the material to the addressee, it shall be submitted for Customs treatment before delivery. [T.D. 78-99, 43 FR 13061, Mar. 29, 1978, as amended by T.D. 78-102, 43 FR 14455, Apr. 6, 1978] § 145.53 Firearms and munitions of war. Importations of firearms, munitions of war, and related articles are subject to the import permit requirements and other restrictions set forth in 27 CFR parts 47, 178, 179. [T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 78-329, 43 FR 43455, Sept. 26, 1978] § 145.54 Alcoholic beverages. (a) Nonmailable. (b) Seizure. (c) Conditions for release. (1) Applicable duty and internal revenue tax shall be paid. (2) The addressee shall comply with the alcoholic beverage laws of the State to which the shipment is destined. (3) Any other conditions the port director may impose under his authority to remit or mitigate fines, penalties, and forfeitures shall be complied with. (4) The addressee, his representative, or a common carrier shall pick up the merchandise at the Customs office where it is being held. Since the merchandise is nonmailable, it cannot be delivered by the Postal Service. § 145.55 Trademarks, trade names, and copyrights. Merchandise bearing a trademark or trade name entitled to protection against imports, merchandise bearing a mark or name that copies or simulates such a trademark or trade name, and merchandise which is in violation of copyright law is subject to the restrictions and prohibitions set forth in part 133 of this chapter. § 145.56 Foreign Assets Control. Merchandise subject to regulations of the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Treasury Department prohibiting or restricting entry of unlicensed importations of articles directly or indirectly from certain designated countries shall be detained until licensed or the question of its release, seizure, or other disposition has been determined under the Foreign Assets Control or Cuban Assets Control regulations (31 CFR parts 500 and 515) (See also 19 CFR 12.150). [T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 96-42, 61 FR 24889, May 17, 1996] § 145.57 Regulations of other agencies. Certain types of plants and plant products, food, drugs, cosmetics, hazardous or caustic and corrosive substances, viruses, serums, and various harmful articles are subject to examination and clearance by appropriate agencies before release to the addressee (see part 12 of this chapter). § 145.58 Other restricted and prohibited merchandise. Other restrictions and prohibitions pertaining to certain types of imported merchandise are set forth in part 12 of this chapter and are applicable to importations by mail. § 145.59 Seizures. (a) Articles prohibited and contrary to law. (b) Notification of seizure or detention. Subpart F—Exportation by Mail § 145.71 Exportation from continuous Government custody. (a) Relief from duties. (1) The merchandise has remained continuously in the custody of the Government (Customs or postal authorities); and (2) The mail articles containing such merchandise are inspected and mailed under Customs supervision. (b) Waiver of right to withdraw. (c) Export entry or withdrawal required. (1) Unclaimed or refused and being returned by the Postal Service to the country of origin as undeliverable mail; or (2) For which a formal entry has not been filed and which is being remailed from continuous Customs or postal custody to Canada. [T.D. 73-175, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended at 38 FR 17470, July 2, 1973; T.D. 78-102, 43 FR 14455, Apr. 6, 1978] § 145.72 Delivery to Customs custody for exportation. In certain cases where merchandise has not been in continuous Government custody, delivery to Customs custody is appropriate before exportation by mail, as set forth in the following sections of this chapter: (a) Section 10.8 (articles exported for repairs or alterations). (b) Section 10.9 (articles exported for processing). (c) Section 148.33 (merchandise which was imported free of duty under a personal exemption, found to be unsatisfactory, and is being exported for replacement). (d) Section 10.38 (exportation of imported merchandise which was entered temporarily under bond). (e) Section 191.42 (exportation of rejected imported merchandise, with drawback of duties). [T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 98-16, 63 FR 11005, Mar. 5, 1998] Subpart G—Mandatory Advance Electronic Data for Mail Shipments Source: 86 FR 14278, Mar. 15, 2021, unless otherwise noted. § 145.73 Definitions. For purposes of this subpart: Designated operator Express Mail Service EMS International Mail Facility IMF Item ID Letter class mail—documents Letter class mail—goods Parcel post Universal Postal Union UPU § 145.74 Mandatory advance electronic data (AED). (a) General requirements. (b) Inbound international mail shipments where AED is required. (2) AED is not required. (i) Letter class mail—documents; (ii) Items for the blind consisting of correspondence, literature in whatever format including sound recordings, and equipment or materials of any kind made or adapted to assist blind persons in overcoming the problems of blindness (up to 7 kilograms); (iii) Items sent as Parcel post or EMS that do not contain goods; (iv) Returned U.S. origin items; (v) Items transiting the U.S. in closed transit; and (vi) Items sent as U.S. domestic mail, or mail treated as domestic, including mail to or from APO, FPO, and DPO addresses, mail to or from U.S. territories and possessions, and mail to, from or between the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. (c) Time frames for providing and updating AED Providing AED. (2) Updating AED. (d) Required AED. (1) Item attribute information. (i) Sender's Name (M); (ii) Sender's Address (M); (iii) Sender's Telephone/fax/email (O); (iv) Recipient's Name (M); (v) Recipient's Address (M); (vi) Recipient's Telephone/fax/email (O); (vii) Detailed description of contents (M); (viii) Quantity (M); (ix) Weight (M); (x) Item ID (M); (xi) Category of Item (gift, documents, sale of goods, commercial sample, merchandise, returned goods, other) (O); (xii) Declared Value (M); (xiii) Date of Posting (O); (xiv) Postal Charges/Fees (O); (xv) 10-digit HS Tariff Number (for commercial items) (O); (xvi) Country of Origin of Goods (for commercial items) (O); (xvii) Importer's reference (tax code, VAT number, importer number, etc.) (O); (xviii) Importer's telephone/fax/email (O); (xix) License Number (O); (xx) Certificate Number (O); (xxi) Invoice Number (O); (xxii) Details if the goods are subject to quarantine, sanitary/phytosanitary inspection, or other restrictions (O); and (xxiii) Designated operator (M). (2) Pre-advice of despatch information. (i) Dispatch information including origin post, destination post, and dispatch number; (ii) Scheduled date and time of departure of the transporting conveyance; (iii) Scheduled date and time of arrival in the United States; (iv) Transportation information including carrier and, as applicable, flight number, voyage number, trip number, and/or transportation reference number; (v) Scheduled International Mail Facility in the United States (IMF); (vi) Total weight of the dispatch; and (vii) The information for receptacles contained within the dispatch, including receptacle type, receptacle ID, and weight, as well as item ID for items nested to the receptacles, if applicable. (e) Exclusions from AED requirements for mail shipments from specific countries. (f) Compliance date of this section full compliance required not later than December 31, 2020. (g) Shipments for which USPS has not complied with the AED requirements Shipments received after December 31, 2020. (2) Certain shipments received during the period beginning on January 1, 2021, through March 15, 2021. [86 FR 14278, Mar. 15, 2021, as amended by CBP Dec. 21-08, 86 FR 38554, July 22, 2021] § 145.75 Liability for civil penalties. (a)(1) Violation of § 145.74(g) after December 31, 2020, will result in USPS being liable for penalties in accordance with the provisions of 19 U.S.C. 1436(e)(1). (2) The amount of the penalty will be $5,000 per violation. (b) The penalty will be reduced or dismissed based on the factors specified in 19 U.S.C. 1436(e)(2). Policy Statement to Part 145—Examination of Sealed Letter Class Mail A. Customs officers and employees shall not open first class mail arriving in the U.S. Virgin Islands for delivery there, if it originated in the Customs territory of the United States, unless a search warrant or written authorization of the sender or addressee is obtained. Customs officers or employees may open and examine all other sealed letter class mail which is subject to the Customs mail regulations (see 19 CFR part 145) and which appears to contain matter in addition to, or other than, correspondence, provided they have “reasonable cause to suspect” the presence of merchandise or contraband. B. Customs officers and employees shall not open any sealed letter class mail which appears to contain only correspondence unless a search warrant or written authorization of the sender or addressee is obtained in advance of the opening. C. Customs officers and employees are prohibited from reading, or authorizing or allowing others to read, any correspondence contained in any letter class mail unless there has been obtained in advance either a search warrant or written authorization of the sender or addressee. This prohibition, which will continue to be strictly enforced, also applies to correspondence between school children and correspondence of the blind which are authorized to be mailed at other than the letter rate of postage in international mail. D. If a violation of law is discovered upon opening any mail article referred to in paragraph C, and it is believed that the correspondence may provide additional information concerning the violation and is therefore needed for further investigation or use in court, a search warrant shall be obtained before any correspondence is seized, read, or referred to another agency. Search warrants shall be promptly sought. Correspondence may be detained while a search warrant is being sought. E. If no controlled delivery is arranged and correspondence is not to be otherwise seized pursuant to a search warrant (see “F” below), the item which constitutes the violation shall be removed and any correspondence shall be replaced in the wrapper, or in a new wrapper if the original wrapper has been seized pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1595a. The wrapper shall then be resealed, marked to indicate it was opened by Customs, and returned to postal channels. Appropriate seizure notices shall be sent in accordance with 19 CFR 145.59(b). F. No mail article may be referred to another agency without a search warrant unless— (1) Any correspondence has been removed and the mail article is being referred for examination and clearance under 19 CFR 145.57, (2) Any correspondence has been removed and the mail article has been lawfully seized by Customs, (3) The mail article is being referred to Postal Service channels to effect a controlled delivery in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, or (4) The mail article is being returned to Postal Service channels for normal processing. G. Whenever sealed letter class mail is opened, the factors giving the Customs officer or employee “reasonable cause to suspect” the presence of merchandise or contraband shall be recorded on the appropriate form and on the opened envelope or other container by means of appropriate coded symbols. Should a seizure result, these factors shall also be recorded on the seizure report. H. Sealed letter class mail with the green Customs label on a Customs declaration may be opened without additional cause. Correspondence in such mail is subject to the restrictions regarding the detention, reading, and referral of mail to other agencies found in paragraphs C through F. I. Whenever any sealed letter class mail is opened for any of the reasons set forth in the above paragraphs, a Postal Service employee shall be present and shall observe the opening. J. Any violation of the Customs mail regulations or any of these policies will lead to appropriate administrative sanctions, as well as possible criminal prosecution pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1702. [T.D. 73-135, 38 FR 13369, May 21, 1973, as amended by T.D. 84-213, 49 FR 41185, Oct. 19, 1984] Appendix to Part 145 A. Scope. B. Definitions. Parcel Post is not permitted to contain correspondence but is to be used for the transmission of merchandise and is fully subject to Customs examination in the same manner as other merchandise shipments (e.g., luggage, cargo, containers, etc.). Postal Union mail is divided into “LC” mail (Lettres et Cartes) and “AO” mail (Aures Objets). “LC mail consists of letters, packages paid at the letter rate of postage, post cards, and aerogrammes. The term “letter class mail” as used in the Customs Regulations and in this policy statement means “LC” mail as well as equivalent articles in “domestic” mail subject to Customs examination. Equivalent articles in “domestic” mail would include articles mailed at the letter rate, or equivalent class or category, in the APO/FPO military system or from a U.S. territory or possession outside the CTUS. Since the term “letter class mail” thus includes packages and bulky envelopes as long as they are mailed at the letter rate, or equivalent class or category, the restrictions relating to opening and reading of correspondence apply equally to such packages or bulky envelopes. “AO” mail is to be treated in the same manner as Parcel Post mail since the Universal Postal Union Convention requires that they “be made up in such a manner that they may be easily examined” and generally are not permitted to “contain any document having the character of current and personal correspondence.” Exceptions to the latter requirement exist for matter for the blind and certain correspondence between school children. Because of these exceptions, the prohibition against reading correspondence without a search warrant or authorization of the sender or addressee applies to correspondence of the blind and correspondence between school children contained in “AO” mail. “AO” mail can usually be identified by the following words: “Imprime” or “Printed Matter”, “Cecogramme” or “Literature for the Blind”, “Petit Paquet” or “Small Packet” or similar terms or their equivalents. C. Reasonable Cause to Suspect. Past practice indicates that the following circumstances (which are illustrative and not exhaustive) provide “reasonable cause to suspect” and permit the opening of sealed letter class mail without a search warrant or authorization of the sender or addressee. 1. A detector dog has alerted to the presence of narcotics or explosives in a specific mail article. 2. X-ray of fluoroscope examination indicates the presence of merchandise or contraband. 3. The weight, shape, feel, or sound of the mail article or its contents may indicate that merchandise or contraband (e.g., a hard object which may be jewelry, a stack of paper which may be counterfeit money, or coins) could be in the mail article. Contents of a mail article which feel lumpy, powdery, or spongy may, for example, indicate the presence of narcotics. 4. Information from a source previously shown to be reliable indicates that an identifiable mail article contains merchandise or contraband. 5. The mail article is insured. 6. The mail article is a box, carton, or wrapper other than a thin envelope. 7. The sender or addressee of the mail article is known to be fictitious. On the other hand, certain facts standing alone generally will not provide “reasonable cause to suspect” the presence of merchandise or contraband and therefore do not permit the opening of sealed letter class mail. For example, sealed letter class mail may not be opened merely because: 1. The mail article is registered. 2. The feel of a letter-size envelope suggests that it contains one or a limited number of photographs. 3. The mail article appears to be part of a mass mailing. 4. The mail article is from a particular country, whether or not a known source country of contraband. 5. A detector dog has alerted to the presence of narcotics or explosives somewhere within a tray of mail (the individual articles of mail must then be examined individually). 6. The sender of addressee of the mail article is known to have mailed or received contraband or merchandise in violation of law in the past. 7. The wrapper contains writing or typing similar to that previously found on articles of mail which contained contraband or merchandise in violation of law. In case where any one of the above facts is present, additional evidence must exist which in conjunction with that fact provides reasonable cause to suspect the presence of merchandise or contraband. [T.D. 78-102, 43 FR 14454, Apr. 6, 1978, as amended by T.D. 83-212, 48 FR 46771, Oct. 14, 1983]