Major postal services in Europe and Asia have begun to temporarily suspend shipments of goods to the United States. This widespread disruption follows a U.S. executive order that will end the “de minimis” tariff exemption for all countries, effective August 29. The exemption previously allowed packages valued at less than $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free.
The decision has prompted confusion and concern among international postal operators and logistics companies. Companies like DHL and national postal services in Germany, France, Austria, Italy, and the U.K. are halting services because of unresolved questions about how and by whom customs duties will be collected. Many carriers are also unable to guarantee that packages will arrive before the new tariffs take effect, leading to the temporary suspension of services to prevent customers from facing unexpected fees.
Beyond Europe, postal services in Asian countries, including India, Thailand, and Singapore, have also announced similar pauses. This change is expected to significantly impact global e-commerce, small businesses, and consumers who relied on the previous system for cost-effective shipping. While some private couriers like DHL Express may continue operations, they will be subject to the new rules. The U.S. administration has stated that the policy change is aimed at curbing tariff evasion and illicit trade, and it had already ended the exemption for goods from China in May.