On July 30, the U.S. administration announced plans to end the global "de minimis" exemption—the rule that lets shipments under $800 bypass extensive paperwork and tariffs. Effective August 29, all low-value packages entering the U.S. will face full duties, disrupting borderless e-commerce and supply chains.
Faced with new declaration headaches and rising costs, postal operators from key markets have taken a dramatic step: suspending parcel services to the U.S. From August 25, India’s Ministry of Communications confirmed that it will halt routine parcel deliveries, with only letters, documents, and gifts under $100 still allowed. Korea Post followed suit, pausing parcel acceptance and directing customers to premium private carriers at higher rates. Italy’s postal service also suspended parcel shipments on August 23, though standard mail without goods continues uninterrupted.
These measures ripple across businesses and consumers. Small exporters and online sellers, who rely on streamlined, low-cost shipping, now face uncertainty in reaching America’s $25 trillion consumer market. Logistics experts warn that temporary service gaps could inflate transit times, push more shippers toward costly private couriers, and trigger price hikes for cross-border goods.
While some European postal services issued similar suspensions earlier, the coordinated response highlights a global pushback against the elimination of duty-free thresholds. For young entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and e-commerce platforms, the shift underscores the need for agile shipping strategies and transparent fee forecasts.
As the August deadline approaches, companies and shoppers alike are recalibrating international shipping plans—exploring consolidated freight options, re-routing parcels through neighboring posts, or adjusting order values to stay under local limits. In a world where seamless digital trade is king, these service suspensions serve as a powerful reminder: even minor policy tweaks can reshape our global mail network overnight.
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Postal services in several countries suspend deliveries to U.S.
cgtn.com
