What is the Zonos Prepay app?
The Zonos Prepay app is a free app that allows individuals and occasional shippers to calculate and prepay U.S. duties, and receive a Declaration ID as proof of payment — all before visiting the post office.
The app supports payment in Czech crowns (CZK) and is available in 18 languages.
How it works
1. Download the free Prepay app and create an account
The Prepay app is available for iOS and Android devices. It is free to download — there are no subscription fees. The app will only prompt for duty payment (and include a clearance/processing fee) when you use it to ship an item to the U.S.
Download the app:
Once downloaded, set up your Prepay account:
- Click Create an account.
- Sign in with your Google or Apple account, or enter your email address and a password.
- You will receive an email with a 6-digit verification code. Enter this code to finalize your account setup.
2. Prepay duties on a shipment
- Open the Prepay app.
- Select your shipment type (standard package, gift, document, or return).
- Select Česká pošta as the post.
- Click Continue.
- Click Add items manually to enter your item information, or click Take a picture to have the app auto-populate your item details. You can include all items in one photo, or take multiple photos.
- Review the item information. Click Edit to make adjustments, or + Add another item to add more items.
- Once ready, check the confirmation box at the bottom and click Calculate duties.
- If no duties are due, click Complete to receive your Declaration ID.
- If duties are due, click Pay to complete payment in Czech crowns (CZK). Payments are guaranteed — your recipient will not be charged duties upon delivery.
- The app will generate a QR code and Declaration ID as proof of payment. Click Print receipt or Share receipt to save your receipt.
3. Present your QR code at the post office
Bring your QR code to the Česká pošta counter. Show it to the postal clerk as proof of duty payment, then pay for postage. Your shipping label will be printed at the counter.
What is a Declaration ID?
A Declaration ID is a code that proves you have completed your customs declaration and prepaid the required duties. Without a Declaration ID, Česká pošta cannot accept your U.S.-bound package.
Special types of shipments
Gifts
Gifts under 100 USD are exempt from duty and do not require the Prepay app. For gifts valued at 100 USD or more, duties are required — select Gift as the package type in the app to ensure duties are calculated correctly.
Documents
Letters and documents are not subject to duty and do not require the Prepay app. Use the app for standard packages, gifts, and returns valued under $800 USD.
Returns
U.S. returns are not duty-free. If you are returning a package to the U.S., you must use the Prepay app to pay duties and obtain a Declaration ID before shipping.
Frequently asked questions
When do I need to use the Prepay app?
Use the Prepay app any time you ship a parcel valued at $800 USD or less to the United States via Česká pošta. Exceptions include letters, documents, and gifts valued under 100 USD.
What do I need to do before visiting the post office?
Use the Zonos Prepay app to prepay duties before arriving. After payment, the app generates a QR code as proof. At the counter, show the QR code to the clerk, pay for postage, and your label will be printed on the spot.
How much does it cost?
There is no subscription fee. A clearance/processing fee is charged per shipment and is displayed in the app alongside the duty calculation. Payment is in Czech crowns (CZK). Duty payments through Zonos Prepay are guaranteed — no additional duties will be charged to your recipient upon delivery.
The duty on my shipment is 0. Is this right? Do I still need to use the app?
Yes, some items are duty-free. The app will calculate duty and let you know if none is owed. You should still complete the shipment through the app to receive your Declaration ID — it is required even when duty is zero. The clearance/processing fee still applies.
Why was duty charged on my gift?
If your gift is valued at 100 USD or more, duty is required — even for personal gifts. Gifts under 100 USD are exempt.
I paid duties but haven't gone to the post office yet. What happens?
Duties paid through the app are in a pending state until you present your QR code at the counter. If you do not bring your shipment to the post office within 5 calendar days, the card authorization expires and you will not be charged. You can start the process again in the app at no cost.
I have multiple packages. Do I need to process each one separately?
Yes. Each package requires its own QR code and Declaration ID. Repeat the process in the app for each individual package.
What are the duty rates for postal shipments?
Postal shipments are subject to Section 122 tariff rates (a flat 10% surcharge effective February 24, 2026). MFN rates do not apply to postal clearance. Private carriers are subject to both MFN and Section 122 rates.
Why are there duties on returned goods?
According to CBP, U.S. returns are not exempt from duty — duties are required.
Will I still need to pay postage?
Yes. Postage is paid separately at the Česká pošta counter when you drop off your shipment. The Prepay app only covers duty prepayment and the clearance fee — postage is collected by Česká pošta at the counter.
Why don't free trade agreements (FTAs) apply?
FTAs do not apply to postal shipments into the U.S., even though each item receives an HS code in the app. U.S. Customs does not currently require HS codes for postal shipments, so the infrastructure for postal clearance is not set up to process FTA claims. Applying an FTA requires verified classification, a certificate of origin, and formal customs entry — which postal shipments do not undergo. The only exception is for "informational materials." Zonos assigns an HS code to check if your shipment qualifies for this exemption; if it does not, duty is calculated.
How do I cancel a shipment after it's been created?
It depends on whether your QR code has been scanned at the post office:
- If the QR code has not been scanned, you can cancel the order directly in the app. Go to Account → Order History, tap the order, scroll down, and tap Cancel order.
- If the QR code has been scanned, you can no longer cancel but you may request a refund:
- If the shipment never cleared customs and was returned to sender, contact support@zonos.com with the tracking number.
- If the shipment has already cleared customs, duties cannot be refunded.
Note: Partial refunds are not provided.
How do I contact support?
Reach out to the Zonos support team at support@zonos.com.
Zonos Prepay for Česká pošta shippers
Use the Prepay app to pay U.S. duties before visiting the post office.
A new U.S. executive order now requires all postal shipments valued under $800 USD entering the U.S. to have duties prepaid. If you're shipping parcels valued under $800 USD to the United States via Česká pošta, you must prepay U.S. duties before your shipment is dispatched.
To support individuals and occasional shippers, Zonos allows Česká pošta customers to pay U.S. duties via the Zonos Prepay app. With duty payment made, you'll receive a QR code to present at the counter — Česká pošta will then accept your package and print your shipping label on the spot.
If you're a business processing many shipments, consider using a Zonos Verified Account instead, for efficiency.