The de minimis exemption allowed packages under $800 to enter the United States duty free; 1.36 billion packages moved under it in 2024, worth $64.6 billion. The exemption is set to expire on Friday, prompting postal services across Europe to suspend many shipments to the United States amid confusion over new import duties. Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, France, Austria and the U.K.'s Royal Mail announced pauses or delayed halts; Royal Mail noted items from the U.K. over $100 will incur a 10% duty. DHL said key questions about duty collection, required data and transmission to U.S. Customs remain unresolved and stopped accepting business parcels destined for the U.S.
The end of an exemption on tariff duties for low-value packages coming into the United States is causing multiple international postal services to pause shipping as they await more clarity on the rule. The exemption, known as the " de minimis" exemption, allows packages worth less than $800 to come into the U.S. duty free. A total of 1.36 billion packages were sent in 2024 under this exemption, for goods worth $64.6 billion, according to data from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Agency.
On Saturday, postal services around Europe announced that they are suspending the shipment of many packages to the United States amid confusion over new import duties. Postal services in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Italy said they will stop shipping most merchandise to the U.S. effective immediately. France and Austria will follow on Monday. The U.K.'s Royal Mail said it would halt shipments to the U.S. on Tuesday to allow time for those packages to arrive before duties kick in.
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