Global Postal Services Pause Shipments to U.S. Due to New Import Duties
Postal services worldwide are pausing shipments to the United States due to new import duties that will take effect on Friday. President Donald Trump eliminated the trade loophole known as “de minimis,” which allowed goods worth up to $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free. This change, which was previously implemented for packages from mainland China and Hong Kong, will now apply globally. Under the new regulations, personal gifts under $100 will remain duty-free, while other packages will face tariffs based on their country of origin. The lack of clear procedures for this policy shift has led to concerns about delays as services are suspended.
Several postal providers, including those in Belgium, Denmark, and New Zealand, have already halted shipments to the U.S. until they can update their systems to comply with the new rules. While letters and documents are not significantly impacted, parcel deliveries are being affected. Postal services in Germany, France, Britain, and India are expected to follow suit in the near future. The U.S. did not provide sufficient details or time for preparation, according to statements from France’s La Poste and New Zealand’s postal service, resulting in the need to temporarily suspend parcel deliveries.
DHL, a major courier company, announced that it will no longer accept parcels containing goods from business customers destined for the U.S. starting Monday. The company highlighted unresolved questions about customs duties collection, additional data requirements, and data transmission to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. However, DHL will continue to deliver private parcels labeled as gifts valued under $100. The White House defended the end of the duty-free exemption as a measure to address deceptive shipping practices and illegal material entering the U.S., citing an increase in de minimis parcels being exploited for duty evasion.
In conclusion, the global suspension of parcel shipments to the U.S. is a response to the elimination of the “de minimis” trade loophole, which allowed duty-free entry for goods up to $800. Postal services are adjusting their systems to comply with the new regulations, causing temporary disruptions in parcel deliveries. The lack of clarity and preparation time for the policy change has prompted postal providers to pause shipments until they can meet the new customs requirements.