Postal services around the world are suspending some delivery to the United States to confusion over new import taxes that must be paid from the end of this month.
U.S. President Donald Trump signs executive order last month End global import tax exemption On low-value packages effective from August 29.
While gifts worth less than $100 will remain under tax, the change means that all other packages will face the same tariff rates as other items from their country of origin.
Postal services, including Royal Mail and Germany’s DHL, said they will suspend delivery until there are appropriate systems to deal with the new rules.
Royal Mail said it will withdraw its current U.S. export service for businesses from Tuesday, but added that it hopes to get up and run a new system within two days to allow it to comply with the new rules before it starts.
“We have been working with U.S. authorities and international partners to adapt our services to meet the new U.S. minimum requirements, so UK consumers and businesses can continue to use our services when they come into effect,” the company said.
Royal Mail said cards and letters can continue to be posted as usual.
The U.S. has so-called De Minimis exemptions for parcels worth up to $800, which allows consumers to buy cheap clothing and household items from sites like Shein and Temu without paying import taxes.
However, the tax exemption rule ended on May 2 with Chinese goods and is now expanding to the rest of the words.
The White House said ending the tax exemption would crack down on “deceptive transportation, illegal material and liability evasion,” claiming that some shippers “abuse” of the exemption and send illegal drugs into the United States.
The Trump administration said De Minimis’ transportation has soared from $115 million in the 2023/24 fiscal year to 309 million on June 30 this year.
Although China is the main source of goods for the use of exemptions, Canada and Mexico are also important sources for delivering low-cost packages to the United States.
Deutsche Post and DHL Package Germany said it will temporarily suspend delivery of packages for commercial customers starting Saturday because “critical issues remain unresolved” to understand how tariffs are paid and who will pay them.
DHL regrets that it “strictly monitors further developments” and maintains contact with U.S. authorities and says shipping through its DHL Express Services is “still possible”.
“The company’s goal is to resume postal services for shipping to the United States as soon as possible,” it said.
Earlier this week, Tostnord announced that it also suspended services as U.S. authorities only provided details of the changes required on August 15.
“This decision is unfortunate, but is necessary to ensure full compliance with the newly implemented rules,” said Bjorn Bergman, head of branding and communications at Postnord Group.
Online marketplace Etsy said it has purchased shipping labels for Australia Post, Canada Post, Royal Mail and EVRI starting August 25 for US-bound packages, while couriers have adjusted their services.
“The tariff situation is developing, so make sure to pay attention to the advice of your preferred shipping company,” Etsy said in his advice to the seller.
In Trump’s “big bill” The changes to De Minimis will take effect on July 1, 2027, but a recent executive order has exacerbated the process for two years.
The new rules will not affect personal items Americans carry with them, with foreign travel valued at $200 or less and will not affect gifts worth $100 or less.
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