Summary
European postal agencies are pausing or stopping package shipments to the U.S. because a tariff exemption for low-value items is ending. This change means that many small packages that came to the U.S. without extra charges will now face tariffs.
Key Facts
- European postal services are stopping shipments to the U.S. due to a change in tariff rules for packages worth $800 or less.
- The de minimis tariff exemption, which avoided fees on small packages, has been revoked by President Trump.
- Packages from countries other than China will also be affected starting August 29.
- At least 16 European postal services plan to pause or limit U.S. shipments according to the trade group PostEurop.
- The U.K.'s Royal Mail will halt services temporarily, with a plan to resume under new rules.
- Belgium and Germany have already paused shipments, while other countries like France and Greece also expect disruptions.
- Last year, 1.3 billion packages entered the U.S. under the de minimis rules, with a significant portion from China.
- Discount retailers like Shein and Temu are affected by increasing shipment costs due to these tariff changes.
