Service Update: Shipping Book Subscriptions from the UK to the US Using Forward2me Lite
If you’re a US reader who subscribes to UK-based book boxes like The Locked Library or FairyLoot, you may have heard about recent changes to US import rules. An executive order signed by President Donald Trump eliminates the long-standing $800 de minimis exemption for low-value imports. Taking effect on August 29, 2025, this will remove simplified customs clearance for shipments valued under $800.
We know that many of our customers rely on our Lite service to receive their book subscription boxes every month, and how important these deliveries are to your reading routine. That’s why in this article, we’ll explain how your shipments are being affected by the new customs procedures and what we’re doing to support you.
Are Books Still Duty-Free?
Here’s the important part: books remain duty-free under US law. That hasn’t changed. Printed books, periodicals, and other educational materials are specifically exempt from customs duties under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
So if you’re shipping books, you won’t suddenly be charged duties or taxes because of this rule change.
Why Is forward2me Lite Currently Unavailable to the US?
The challenge is the logistics of customs clearance. With the removal of de minimis, shipments of all kinds of goods will now require additional data and processing at the border.
As a result, many national postal services, including Royal Mail (which powers our Lite service), have temporarily suspended shipments to the US while they adapt to the new clearance procedures. This means that even though books themselves are duty-free, forwarding them to the US using Lite is not currently possible.
What We’re Doing for Book Lovers
We know how important your subscription boxes are, and we want to reassure you that this disruption is only temporary. While Lite is paused:
- We’ve extended our free storage period from 30 days to 90 days for UK book subscription shipments heading to the US. This means you’ll be able to have your boxes stored securely and ship them all together once Lite service resumes.
- Lite service will resume as soon as Royal Mail has adjusted to the new US Customs clearance procedures.
- Your books remain safe with us, and we’ll update you the moment Lite is available again. In the meantime, you can use any of our other available courier services.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these changes together.