Global Postal Services Halt US Shipments Amid Trump’s Tariff Shake-Up
Postal services worldwide are hitting pause on sending certain mail to the United States, as they scramble to adjust to new tariffs. The shake-up comes after Donald Trump scrapped the long-standing exemption that allowed packages under US$800 to enter the country tariff-free.
Starting August 29, most international parcels arriving in the US will face full tariff charges, forcing carriers to suspend shipments temporarily while they figure out how to handle the extra costs.
Why Have Postal Services Been Suspended?
The cost of mailing packages to the US is about to skyrocket. The Trump administration has ended the so-called “de minimis” exemption, which previously allowed shipments valued under US$800 to bypass tariffs.
From now on, parcels will be taxed according to the tariff rate of their country of origin, making it far pricier for postal services—and eventually, for customers.
With the new rules in place, dozens of countries have suspended deliveries to the US, either partly or fully, as they adjust to the added expenses and upgrade their systems.
Does It Affect All Mail?
Not entirely. The suspensions vary depending on the country:
Many postal services are still sending letters, but have halted parcels under US$800.
Personal gifts valued under US$100 remain exempt in theory, but some carriers have opted to block all shipments to the US until further notice.
Packages shipped before August 29 will clear without issues, but anything arriving later could be returned to sender or billed to the recipient, depending on the postal service.
For instance, Belgium’s bpost has warned that delayed parcels may be sent back, while New Zealand Post will hold the receiver responsible for all duties and taxes.
Which Countries Have Stopped Shipping to the US?
As of Tuesday, nearly 30 countries had suspended part of their US postal services.
Europe: 22 nations—including the UK, France, Germany, and Italy—have paused some shipments. According to PostEurop, up to 32 more postal networks could follow suit.
Asia-Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore have suspended certain or all deliveries.
Marketplace Impact: Online platform Etsy has stopped selling US shipping labels for Australia Post, Canada Post, UK’s Royal Mail, and Evri, urging sellers to find carriers that allow prepaid tariff fees.
When Will US Mail Resume?
Postal operators have been vague, saying services will remain suspended indefinitely until they rebuild systems that comply with US import rules.
Belgium’s bpost said the halt will last until Washington provides complete details of the new requirements.
Australia Post has warned customers to expect higher shipping costs, after partnering with a US customs payments operator to roll out a new billing process.
Meanwhile, parcels will either face the standard tariff rate based on origin or a temporary fixed fee until late February:
US$80 per item for tariffs under 16%
US$160 per item for tariffs between 16%–25%
US$200 per item for tariffs above 25%
Why Did Trump Scrap the “De Minimis” Rule?
This change is part of Trump’s broader trade war strategy, where tariffs are used as a diplomatic weapon.
The de minimis exemption had fueled a booming trade system, enabling duty-free imports and letting retailers like Amazon, Etsy, Shein, and Temu offer cheaper goods through smaller shipments.
In 2024 alone, the US received 1.36 billion packages worth over US$64.6 billion under this exemption.
But Trump had already axed the exemption for China and Hong Kong earlier this year, targeting what the White House said was the majority of de minimis imports.
US industry groups had long complained about unfair competition from Chinese e-commerce sellers, and the move caused a sharp drop in Temu’s US customer base.
When signing the executive order in July, the White House claimed the exemption had been abused to traffic fentanyl and opioids, saying it was “killing Americans.”
Description:
"Over 30 countries have suspended mail to the US after Trump scrapped the $800 tariff exemption. Here’s what it means for shipping worldwide."