The US Postal Service has announced a pause on parcel acceptance from mainland China and Hong Kong, coinciding with new tariff implementations targeting Chinese imports.
USPS Halts Parcel Shipments from China and Hong Kong Due to Tariff Policy
USPS Halts Parcel Shipments from China and Hong Kong Due to Tariff Policy
The temporary suspension of parcel shipments affects international trade as tensions rise.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has made a significant policy shift by temporarily halting the acceptance of parcels originating from mainland China and Hong Kong. This action, which reportedly does not affect letter deliveries, has been outlined on the USPS website, affirming that the suspension is "until further notice" with no specific reason provided.
Amid rising trade tensions, the recent decision follows President Donald Trump's introduction of a 10% tariff on all goods imported from China. Furthermore, the executive order dismantled the existing exemption which allowed for the duty-free import of goods valued at $800 (£474) or less, a threshold termed the "de minimis" loophole. This reversal comes as major Chinese e-commerce platforms, such as Shein and Temu, gained significant traction in the US marketplace.
US officials have expressed concerns over the flood of parcels entering the country without adequate screening for potentially illegal items, leading to the scrutiny of this exemption in recent years. The USPS's decision is likely to add further complexity to international trade relations with China, impacting both businesses and consumers on both sides.
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