This week for sellers: October 17 to 23, 2026

Thirteen stories in one place: what changed for importers, marketplace sellers and shippers this week, and the dates to act on next.

For: ImportersAmazon sellersResellersSmall businesses

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The short version

Thirteen stories this week. The dates that need action soonest: the UPS demand surcharge starts October 25, Poshmark starts deducting overweight label costs October 26, and eBay balance terms apply to existing US sellers November 4. One date moved later: US mail that owes Section 301 duty can keep the postal informal entry until January 20, 2027. And a cost that moved quietly: a ¥100,000 China order paid in yuan costs $784.59 more than a year ago at the official reference rate.

Trade and tariffs

• Yuan at 6.718 per dollar: the official reference rate on October 23 was 6.7180, against 7.0918 a year earlier. Worked examples in US dollars, Canadian dollars and euros.
• De minimis mail rule delayed to January 20, 2027: CBP pushed the October 22 change back 90 days; updated October 22 with the Federal Register final rule.

Marketplaces and fees

• eBay balance becomes automatic November 4: on-demand withdrawals become the default, spending limits turn dynamic, and funds on hold are not yours until released.
• Poshmark overweight fee from October 26: ship a box over 5 lb on the standard label and the upgrade cost comes out of your earnings.
• Mercari free shipping on $50+: October 22 to January 4, buyers get free shipping on $50+ orders up to 5 lb. Which listings qualify.
• Texas marketplace fee tax: a proposed rule published October 16 would stop treating marketplace seller fees as taxable data processing. Until it is adopted, the tax stays.

Shipping and postal

• USPS can now bill sellers for unpaid foreign duties: a rule in force since October 19 lets USPS invoice you when a destination country cannot collect duties, taxes or import fees from your buyer. Comments close November 18.
• UPS holiday surcharge from October 25: $0.50 to $2.50 per package on Ground Residential, Ground Saver and Air.

China and Africa

• China-Africa trade up 22.3%: US$312.112 billion in January to September 2026.
• China opens cocoa bean imports to all of Africa: GACC Announcement No. 147; the conditions inside.
• Ecobank signs deal to join China's CIPS: yuan payments across 34 African markets; no fees or date yet.
• Nigeria: phones need NCC type approval: each imported phone, tablet, modem and POS model needs type approval and IMEIs filed before sale.
• West Africa port delays: add one to two weeks for festive orders.

Also confirmed this week (not briefed)

• Dual-use item export checks: MOFCOM and the General Administration of Customs issued Announcement No. 52 of 2026 on October 19, in force the same day. When customs questions whether an export may be a controlled dual-use item, the exporter has 7 working days to provide documents; customs then has 15 working days to decide or refer the goods to MOFCOM, which has 15 working days to identify them. Time for submitting documents and for testing is not counted. The goods are not released during the review, and the rules also apply to cross-border e-commerce, mail and express shipments. If a supplier's shipment is held for such a check, ask for the customs notice and allow extra time.
• Freight: the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index was 3,681.34 on October 23, up 1.76 points from October 16.

Dates ahead

• Oct 23 to 27: Canton Fair Phase 2 (home goods, kitchenware, gifts)
• Oct 25: UPS demand surcharge starts
• Oct 26: Poshmark starts deducting overweight label costs
• Oct 31 to Nov 4: Canton Fair Phase 3
• Nov 1: EU EUR 2 handling fee per item (expected)
• Nov 4: eBay balance terms apply to existing US sellers
• Nov 5: China International Import Expo (CIIE) opens in Shanghai
• Nov 9: 178 Section 301 exclusions and the ship-fee pause end (reported)
• Nov 18: comments due on the USPS unpaid customs charges rule
• Jan 20, 2027: Entry Type 13 required for mail owing Section 301 duty

All dates in 2026 unless noted. The full list is on our trade calendar.

Test yourself

A week of fees, deadlines and tariffs in a few questions: take this week's SuanNews quiz. A new quiz every week.

General information, not legal, tax or customs advice. Rules change often: check the official sources above or a licensed customs broker before you act. SuanSupply is not affiliated with any government agency or marketplace named here.