In a surprising development, postal operators around the world have begun pausing certain mail shipments to the United States. The culprit: confusion over new US import duties that's tripped up even seasoned delivery networks.
Earlier this month, carriers from Argentina to South Korea flagged the issue. With tariff rules shifting and package categories in flux, many postal unions say they need time to update systems.
Data from the International Postal Forum shows global parcel volumes into the US dropped 30% in recent weeks. Online sellers, small businesses and hobbyists now face unexpected delays or returns.
For e-commerce startups, this pause creates fresh headaches. One entrepreneur in Spain waited weeks for a prototype from California. In India, art supplies were redirected back after confusion over fee calculations.
Experts believe clarity is coming soon. The US Postal Service and customs agencies are working on guides and digital tools to smooth the process. Until then, senders and recipients should review new duty rates and consider faster couriers for urgent packages.
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Here's why so many countries are suspending postal shipments to the US
cgtn.com
