"US President Donald Trump's administration announced in late July that it was abolishing the de minimis exemption on small packages entering the United States from August 29. The exemption, which had been in place since 1938, allowed items worth $800 (680) or less to be shipped to the US duty free. The number of de minimis packages entering the US skyrocketed from 140 million in 2014 to 1.36 billion packages by 2024, according to the US Customs and Border Protection agency."
"The new rules mean all parcels shipped to the US are subject to tariffs. In addition, postal operators and transport firms are responsible for collecting the duties and processing the paperwork. But the UPU said operators didn't have enough time to prepare for the changes, or to put in place mechanisms to collect the duties and establish a link with the relevant US authorities. This caused "major operational disruptions," it added."
Postal traffic to the United States plunged by more than 80% after new tariffs on small packages took effect on August 29. The de minimis exemption that allowed items valued at $800 or less to enter duty free since 1938 was abolished, and de minimis shipments rose from 140 million in 2014 to 1.36 billion in 2024. Critics warn that low-value imports harm US retailers and may allow unsafe items and drug shipments. The Universal Postal Union reported 88 operators suspended or limited parcel deliveries, citing lack of time and mechanisms to collect duties and process paperwork, and is developing a technical solution to restore mail flows.
Read at www.dw.com
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