Postal operators across the globe are suspending shipments to the United States amid uncertainty over new import tax regulations set to take effect later this month.
The disruption follows an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump that eliminates the long-standing tax exemption on low-value parcels. Beginning 29 August, all goods sent to the US—except for gifts valued under $100—will be subject to the same tariff rates as higher-value imports.
The move ends the so-called de minimis exemption, which previously allowed parcels worth up to $800 to enter the US duty-free. The measure had been particularly popular with consumers shopping from fast-fashion retailers and e-commerce platforms such as Shein and Temu, enabling cheaper cross-border purchases.
Royal Mail in the UK confirmed it is suspending its current US export services while it adapts its systems to comply with the new rules. The postal operator said it expected to have replacement procedures in place within days. “Royal Mail is working closely with the US authorities and international partners to manage the impact of these changes which will affect everyone who sends goods to the USA,” the company said in a statement.
Germany’s Deutsche Post and DHL Parcel also announced temporary suspensions for business shipments to the US, citing unresolved questions about how duties would be calculated and collected. DHL added that its DHL Express service remains unaffected and continues to operate. “The company’s goal is to resume postal goods shipping to the US as quickly as possible,” it said.
Elsewhere, Nordic operator PostNord confirmed a halt on deliveries after receiving detailed guidance on the changes from US authorities only last week. “This decision is unfortunate but necessary to ensure full compliance of the newly implemented rules,” said Björn Bergman, the company’s head of brand and communication.
The White House has argued that the shift is aimed at combating “escalating deceptive shipping practices, illegal material, and duty circumvention,” alleging that some shippers exploited the exemption to move illicit goods, including narcotics, into the US.
According to administration figures, the number of duty-free shipments has surged from 115 million in the 2023–24 fiscal year to 309 million by the end of June this year.
The policy change had originally been scheduled to take effect in July 2027 under legislation passed by Congress. However, Trump’s executive order accelerated the timeline by two years.
The new import rules do not apply to personal items brought into the country by travelers valued at $200 or less, nor to gifts under $100.
With postal services scrambling to adjust, businesses and consumers worldwide now face delays and additional costs when sending goods to the US.
