https://www.royalmail.com/usapersonalupdates

[da6170]

What does this mean? The seller needs to pay any duties before sending to the US?

[ear2fear]

It is probably something to do with you being in the USA. 

[thesmokingrunner]

Well that was helpful @ear2fear ...

@da6170  Essentially that webpage details the current situation with US tariffs and import duties if something is shipped using Royal Mail. 

Without going into too much detail, which would merely repeat the information on Royal Mail's website, due to changes in the way imports to the US are handled - to be introduced from 29th August - international postal services are having to adapt their systems.

As from the end of August the only goods which can be sent duty-free will be cards and letters and gifts with a value of US$100 or less. Anything else will be liable to duty, which can be pre-paid using Royal Mail's PDDP (Postal Delivery Duties Paid) service. If not, duties will be collected by US Customs.

There is more information in the article itself, including when the PDDP service will be available.

[style_wise]

Part of why this Royal Mail announcement is vague is that the new process for dealing with tariffs is not yet in place. (RM are stopping service to the USA on Tuesday while they make changes.) But essentially what it means is you will pay $80 plus 10% on each and every item you buy from overseas, regardless of combined shipping. This will be payable in advance. The only exceptions are things marked as 'gift' that are under $100.

Tangential to this, you will only be able to carry $200 worth of duty-free into the States when you fly (down from $800).