Seller Academy weekly update: 27 October 2026

This week’s changes to packing, posting and customs that matter to sellers on The Kosher Shop. Check each item against the way you ship before your next parcel goes out, and remember the packing photo before every shipment.

USPS: holiday shipping deadlines for 2026

• What changed: USPS has published its recommended send by dates for delivery before 25 December. Within the contiguous United States: USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail, Thursday 17 December; Priority Mail, Friday 18 December; Priority Mail Express, Saturday 19 December. To Europe, the Middle East (including Israel) and Canada: First-Class Package International and Priority Mail International, Wednesday 9 December; Priority Mail Express International, Wednesday 16 December. Chanukah begins on the evening of Friday 4 December 2026, so Chanukah gifts need to go out earlier.
• Who it affects: All US sellers.
• What you must do: Set an order cut-off in your shop announcement one or two days before the date for the service you use, and leave time to pack and take the packing photo.
• Effective date: 4 December 2026 (Chanukah); 9 to 19 December 2026 (USPS dates)
• Source: USPS: 2026 Holiday Shipping Deadlines

USPS: holiday prices in force until 17 January 2027

• What changed: Temporary holiday prices apply to Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select from 4 October 2026 until midnight Central time on Sunday 17 January 2027.
• Who it affects: US sellers shipping with USPS.
• What you must do: Check that the shipping rates in your shop cover the holiday prices, and review them again after 17 January 2027.
• Effective date: 4 October 2026 to 17 January 2027
• Source: USPS News, 4 October 2026

FedEx: 2027 rate changes and new paper document fee

• What changed: From 4 January 2027 FedEx standard list rates for US, US export and US import package services rise by an average of 5.9%, with higher minimum rates and new delivery area ZIP code lists. From 18 January 2027 FedEx adds a $25 Paper Document Fee when a trade document is given on paper, a $5 fee for manual paper air waybills, and a residential delivery charge on qualifying international shipments.
• Who it affects: US sellers shipping with FedEx, especially internationally.
• What you must do: Update your shipping rates for January, create shipments and customs documents electronically to avoid the paper fees, and update FedEx Ship Manager software.
• Effective date: 4 January 2027 and 18 January 2027
• Source: FedEx: 2027 rate changes

DHL Express: average 5.9% price rise in the US

• What changed: DHL Express will raise prices for US account holders by an average of 5.9%, and some services and surcharges will also change.
• Who it affects: US sellers shipping with DHL Express.
• What you must do: Check your new DHL rates before 1 January 2027 and update your international shipping prices.
• Effective date: 1 January 2027
• Source: DHL Express US press release, 25 September 2026

Postal parcels into the US: new entry rules moved to 20 January 2027

• What changed: US Customs and Border Protection has moved the compliance date for its new entry rules for international mail from 22 October 2026 to 20 January 2027. From then, postal items that come under another US agency (for example the FDA for food) or are subject to certain additional duties need formal entry, or the new electronic Entry Type 13 process. Duty free (de minimis) treatment for mail stays suspended in the meantime.
• Who it affects: Sellers on thekoshershop.com who ship to US customers from outside the United States, for example from Israel or the UK.
• What you must do: Send full and accurate electronic customs data with every parcel, file FDA prior notice for food, and ask your carrier how it will handle entry from 20 January 2027 and whether it can collect duties in advance, so the customer pays nothing at the door.
• Effective date: 20 January 2027
• Source: Federal Register, 22 October 2026

EU: new €2 handling fee on parcels from outside the EU

• What changed: The EU now charges a Union handling fee of €2 per item on goods sold at a distance to customers in the EU from outside the EU, on top of the €3 customs duty per item on consignments worth up to €150.
• Who it affects: US sellers who send orders to customers in the EU.
• What you must do: Build the fee and duty into your EU shipping price so the customer pays nothing at the door, and ask your carrier how it charges them.
• Effective date: 1 November 2026
• Source: European Commission: EU Customs Reform

Israel: expect delays

• What changed: Royal Mail reports that Israel Post has extended its state of emergency until at least 3 November 2026. Services are running, but delays are expected.
• Who it affects: Sellers sending parcels to Israel.
• What you must do: Use a tracked service and tell customers that delivery may take longer than usual.
• Effective date: until at least 3 November 2026
• Source: Royal Mail: International Incident Bulletin

Guides changed this week

None. Our Seller Academy guides are still correct; the items above add detail to Shipping abroad: customs, duties and documents and Choosing a courier.

These guides are practical help, not legal advice.