Starting August 29, 2025, postal services in 25 countries have temporarily suspended or limited deliveries to the United States. The move comes in response to new US tariff rules that remove the long-standing $800 de minimis exemption, which previously allowed packages valued under $800 to enter the US duty-free. Postal operators are pausing shipments to avoid unexpected costs, as many cannot immediately absorb these tariffs. Letters and gifts under $100 remain exempt, but packages above this threshold now incur duties, affecting both government and private postal networks as well as e-commerce platforms reliant on international shipping.
Why postal services are suspending shipments to the US
The suspension is directly triggered by the removal of the $800 de minimis exemption under the Trump administration’s new rules. Key points include:
- Packages under $800 that were previously duty-free will now face tariffs.
- Many carriers cannot immediately process these new tariffs, making shipments costly or unviable.
- The temporary pause allows postal services to adapt their systems and avoid financial losses.
- Some countries have suspended only packages, while others have halted all mail to the US.
Countries that have stopped or limited deliveries
The 25 countries affected are spread across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region:Europe (17 countries):
- United Kingdom
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- Spain
- Portugal
- Sweden
- Norway
- Denmark
- Finland
- Ireland
- Austria
- Switzerland
- Poland
- Czech Republic
Asia-Pacific and others (8 countries):
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Japan
- India
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Singapore
- Canada
Impact on consumers and businesses
The suspension has widespread consequences for both businesses and individual consumers:
- E-commerce platforms such as Etsy have halted US shipping label services for affected postal carriers.
- Packages already en route before August 29 remain unaffected, but later shipments may face returns or additional fees.
- Businesses relying on international shipments are experiencing delays, higher costs, and operational challenges.
- Consumers may encounter longer delivery times, reduced product availability, and higher online shopping costs.
Temporary measures and outlook
To mitigate the impact, US Customs is offering a temporary fixed-fee option through February 2026, ranging from $80 to $200 per item depending on the country’s tariff rate. Postal services are awaiting detailed guidance from the US to resume normal operations. Once systems are adapted, shipping costs are expected to rise due to the new tariff structure.The suspension underscores the vulnerability of global postal networks to sudden regulatory changes and highlights the importance of strategic planning for international trade and e-commerce operations.
