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Global mail carriers, including those from Britain, France, and Germany, are suspending parcel deliveries to the United States due to confusion over new import duties. The changes stem from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump last month, which abolishes the "de minimis" trade loophole. This loophole previously allowed goods valued under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free.
Under the new regulations, which take effect on Friday (August 29), only personal gifts valued under $100 will remain duty-free. All other parcels will face tariffs similar to standard imports from their country of origin. The policy shift has led to widespread uncertainty among postal services, as the U.S. has not provided detailed procedures for implementing the new rules. According to CNBC, postal providers in Belgium, Denmark, and New Zealand have already halted shipments, with Germany, France, and Britain set to follow.
DHL, a major courier company, announced it would stop accepting parcels from business customers destined for the U.S. starting Monday. The company cited unresolved questions about customs duty collection and data requirements. DHL will continue delivering private parcels labeled as gifts valued under $100.
The White House claims the end of the duty-free exemption will help combat deceptive shipping practices and illegal material entry, including drugs. The number of de minimis parcels reportedly increased from 134 million in 2015 to over 1.36 billion in 2024, with many originating from China and Hong Kong.
European postal services, such as DHL, are pausing shipments due to policy ambiguity. France's La Poste stated that the U.S. did not provide enough preparation time for new customs procedures. The Independent reports that the changes will raise costs for imported goods, with potential fees reaching $200 per item depending on the country of origin's tariff rate.
These developments are causing significant disruptions in international shipping, and postal services are closely monitoring the situation to resume deliveries as soon as possible.