Postal Traffic to the United States Plummets After Trade Exemption Rule Suspension

Postal Traffic to the United States Plummets After Trade Exemption Rule Suspension

Postal traffic to the United States has seen a significant decline following the suspension of a trade exemption rule by the Trump administration in late August. The Universal Postal Union (UPU) reported that postal traffic enroute to the U.S. came to a near standstill after the de minimis trade exemption, which allowed small packages worth less than $800 to be exempt from tariffs, ended on August 29, 2025. Data from postal operators revealed an 81% drop in traffic on that day compared to the previous week. The UPU is actively working on solutions to restore the flow of mail to the United States.

UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki emphasized the organization's commitment to ensuring the free circulation of postal items across a single postal territory. Efforts are underway to develop a new technical solution that will facilitate the movement of mail to the U.S. NPR's attempts to obtain a comment from the White House regarding the situation have not yielded a response.

President Donald Trump's executive order on July 30 suspended the de minimis rule for all U.S. imports, subjecting all products entering the country to duties and tariffs based on their country of origin. The administration defended this action as a measure to combat criminal activities like counterfeit products and fentanyl trafficking while also addressing the trade deficit. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott supported the move, stating that it aimed to prevent criminal networks from exploiting the previous loophole.

In response to the changes, 88 postal operators have suspended some or all services to the United States until a resolution is reached. The UPU is actively engaged in finding solutions to restore postal traffic to the country.