Alright, I’m looking for mail closure here.
Last I left you, there still wasn’t a resolution to the customs duty tariff sparked by President Trump’s Executive Order 14324 in July. The order threw Guam and the CNMI into confusion, briefly halting mail until federal officials could sort out what it actually meant.
But even before that, mail to Guam had started to crawl — by late 2024, it wasn’t uncommon for packages to take eight weeks or more to arrive, no matter how much you paid for Priority Mail.
And then, even as the mail started flowing again, territory residents were left waiting for clarity on the tariff charges.
So now, finally, a bit of closure — or at least as much as we’re likely to get.
The Speed (or Lack Of) for Mail To and From Guam
I ran a little experiment this September to test how unpredictable our mail service has become.
A flat-rate box to Julie arrived within a week. Not bad.
A non–flat rate Priority Mail box to Jimmy took three to four weeks.
A split Amazon order: the first half arrived in ten days, the second six weeks later.
And a flat-rate box Julie sent to me this past week arrived in just seven days.
My conclusion? If it’s routed through Northern California, forget it. That’s where things get stuck.
The good news is that the problem seems to have been identified. The bad news: now we need Guam Del. James Moylan to fix it. It’s his job — no one else can.
Executive Order 14324
And now, as if slow mail weren’t enough, another change is coming — one that hits your wallet.
As of September 29, 2025, shipping a package from Guam to the U.S. mainland won’t be as simple — or as cheap — as it used to be.
Under a new rule, customers in Guam must prepay customs duties on certain shipments using the Zonos Prepay app. The change ends decades of “duty-free” treatment for most Guam-to-U.S. mail — marking the first time that everyday island shippers will have to pay customs before mailing.
Graphic by My Jungle Rules
How It Works
Before you head to the post office, you’ll need to:
Download the Zonos Prepay app.
Enter your shipment details and pay any customs duties upfront.
Present the Declaration ID and QR code the app generates at the USPS counter.
Without that code, the post office won’t accept your package for delivery to the mainland.
Yes, one more app to download.
Who’s Affected
The rule applies to Guam-based shippers — everyone from small business owners to families mailing care packages.
Exemptions include:
Documents
Items with no monetary value
Bona fide gifts worth $200 or less
Items valued over $800 (handled under a different customs process)
Returns
If your package doesn’t fit one of these categories, you’ll need to prepay the customs duty — no exceptions.
Why This Is Happening
This change stems from an executive order suspending duty-free treatment for low-value imports and exports from territories outside the U.S. Customs Zone.
The U.S. Customs Zone includes the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico — but not Guam, the CNMI, American Samoa, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Because Guam is outside that zone, all shipments to the mainland technically pass through customs, even though both sides are part of the United States.
🗣️ Of all the U.S. territories, only Puerto Rico — inside the customs zone — was spared this rule.
Why It Matters
For Guam residents, this rule adds one more layer of cost to a life already marked by high prices and limited options.
Online sellers will need to factor in new fees and logistics. Families will pay more to send care packages or gifts.
It’s not just a shipping app — it’s a reminder that Guam’s connection to the mainland still runs through an invisible border. Puerto Rico doesn’t pay these duties because it’s inside the U.S. Customs Zone. We aren’t. And that difference costs us, every time we mail something home.
Looking Ahead
USPS says the new Zonos system will streamline customs compliance and prevent rejected shipments. Maybe it will.
But on an island where shipping already feels like a tax on distance, this update may feel like one more price to pay for living outside the customs line.
❓Quick FAQ
Does this affect mail coming into Guam?
No. The rule applies only to packages shipped from Guam to the U.S. mainland.
Do I still pay regular USPS postage?
Yes. The Zonos customs duty is in addition to your normal USPS shipping cost.
What if my item is exempt?
If your package fits an exemption category, you won’t need to prepay duties — but you may still need a customs form at the post office.
Why isn’t Puerto Rico affected?
Puerto Rico is inside the U.S. Customs Zone, so its mail is treated as domestic. Guam, the CNMI, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are not.
Where can I get the app?
The Zonos Prepay app will go live before Sept. 29, with download links available through USPS and Zonos.
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