In late July, the U.S. government announced it would suspend duty-free treatment for inbound parcels valued at $800 or less starting August 29. Within days, the impact was dramatic: postal traffic with the U.S. plunged by 81 percent, according to the Universal Postal Union (UPU). This sudden shift left small businesses and cross-border shoppers scrambling for alternatives in a global scramble to ship goods.
On September 6, the UPU reported that 88 postal operators worldwide have either fully or partially suspended services to the U.S., signaling a fracture in the once-smooth international mailing network. From Australia to Germany, national postal authorities have halted acceptance of most parcels bound for American shores.
Industry insiders say the new tariff policy hits micro and small enterprises relying on cross-border e-commerce hardest. "We're seeing orders delayed or rerouted, and that's a real blow for sellers who depend on quick, affordable parcel delivery to reach customers," says a logistics expert.
UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki underscored the agency's role in finding a fix. "We're working to uphold responsibility with the rapid development of a new technical solution that will help get mail moving to the U.S. again," he said.
As businesses and consumers adjust, stakeholders from startups to shipping companies are eyeing tech-driven workarounds, from digital customs pre-clearance to new partnership models. For global citizens, the lesson is clear: in an interconnected world, policy shifts ripple across borders in unexpected ways.
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Trump's new tariff policy sparks 81% plunge in global parcels to U.S.
cgtn.com
