The US Postal Service has announced a halt on accepting parcels from China and Hong Kong, coinciding with new tariffs imposed by President Trump that alter the de minimis tax exemption previously utilized by many Chinese retailers.
USPS Suspends Acceptance of Parcels from China Amid New Tariffs
USPS Suspends Acceptance of Parcels from China Amid New Tariffs
New trade measures from President Trump lead to a pause in parcel services from mainland China and Hong Kong.
The US Postal Service (USPS) has officially announced that, effective immediately, it will no longer accept parcels coming from mainland China and Hong Kong. While letters are not impacted by this suspension, the USPS has chosen not to provide a specific rationale for its decision.
The announcement follows the implementation of new trade rules brought forth by US President Donald Trump, which aim to close a loophole that allowed small packages valued at $800 (£641) or less to enter the US tax-free. This change is part of a wider set of measures that also includes a 10% tariff on all imports from China.
The "de minimis tax loophole" has been increasingly scrutinized, particularly as it has enabled Chinese e-commerce giants such as Shein and Temu to access US consumers with relative ease. While modifications to this tax exemption were already underway during President Joe Biden's administration, Trump's recent actions have significantly broadened the scope of tariffs affecting imports from China, encompassing a variety of products, including fashion items and toys.
In response, China has stated that it will impose tariffs on select US imports as a countermeasure. Effective February 10, coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to China will incur a 15% tariff, while crude oil, agricultural machinery, and large-engine cars will be subjected to a 10% levy.
Trade experts have noted that the shift in US postal policy is particularly impactful on e-commerce shipments that were previously sent directly from China to the US. As reported by Congress in 2023, nearly half of all parcels entering the US under the de minimis exemption originated from China, raising concerns over the challenges in screening such a large volume for potentially illegal items.
USPS has not yet commented on requests for additional information regarding their decision. Meanwhile, US consumers who rely on deliveries from China are left in a state of uncertainty regarding the future of their purchases.
