Postal operators across Europe, Asia, and Australia are suspending shipments to the U.S. following the Trump administration's decision to revoke tariff exemptions for low-value parcels. The move, effective August 29, eliminates the $800 "de minimis" threshold that previously allowed duty-free entry for small packages, triggering logistical chaos for cross-border commerce.
Germany's Deutsche Post (DHL), Sweden-Denmark's PostNord, and Spain's Correos are among those halting U.S.-bound goods shipments starting August 25, citing unclear customs protocols. Norway's Posten Bring noted U.S. authorities have not provided technical solutions to implement new duty collection processes, while Belgium's Bpost and Austria's Austrian Post similarly paused services over "insufficient information."
The disruption extends to e-commerce platforms, with Etsy suspending shipping labels for Australian, Canadian, and UK sellers using national postal services. The company advised merchants to switch to private carriers like FedEx and UPS, which confirmed uninterrupted operations.
Australia Post clarified that direct U.S. shipments remain unaffected, but third-country transits through its network are paused. Meanwhile, the U.S. Postal Service has yet to comment on how it will handle incoming international parcels under the new rules.
Analysts warn the policy shift could inflate costs for small businesses and consumers reliant on affordable cross-border shipping. With global postal operators coordinating to seek clarity, the temporary suspensions highlight growing tensions in international trade frameworks.
