In late August 2025, postal shipments from several countries—including India, the United Kingdom, and Denmark—were suddenly paused or suspended. This widespread disruption stems from a major shift in U.S. customs regulations affecting low‑value parcels under what was until now the “de minimis” exemption.
What Triggered the Halts?
1. End of the “de minimis” Exemption
Since 1930s, goods valued at US $800 or less could enter the U.S. duty‑free, a policy last updated under the Obama administration. On August 29, 2025, an executive order eliminated this exemption globally—meaning nearly all packages, regardless of value, are now subject to duties
Postal Services Caught Unprepared
Postal agencies lack clear instructions on:
- Who collects the duties—sender or recipient?
- How duties are collected—at origin or via U.S. Customs?
- Required documentation and data protocols for U.S. Customs.
As delivery deadlines loomed, many chose to halt services temporarily rather than risk non‑compliant shipments.
Country Highlights
India
- The Indian Department of Posts suspended most U.S.-bound mail starting August 25, 2025, allowing only letters, documents, and gifts up to $100 to continue.
- The move follows warnings from U.S. air carriers that they could not transport parcels amid unclear customs requirements.
United Kingdom (Royal Mail)
- The Royal Mail halted shipments temporarily in late August to allow remaining parcels to enter U.S. customs before the new duties began.
- They’re developing a Postal Delivered Duties Paid (PDDP) system for account customers to continue compliant exports starting August 28, 2025.
Denmark (and broader Europe)
- Postal services across Europe—including Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Italy, France, Austria, and others—suspended parcel services to the U.S.
- Many cited technical unreadiness, and the inability to guarantee delivery before the duties commenced on August 29.
Wider Global Impact & Response
- Postal carriers in nearly 30 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, have halted U.S.-bound shipments to reassess and adapt. Small shipments under $100 (e.g., letters, personal gifts) remain largely unaffected.
- For example, Australia Post suspended parcel services to the U.S. and Puerto Rico, citing “rapidly evolving” regulations and unclear responsibilities for tariff payments.
What This Means for Shippers and Consumers
| Stakeholder | Impact Summary |
|---|---|
| Individuals | Can still send letters and gifts under $100; packages over this risk delays or returns. |
| Small Exporters | Face halted shipping lanes, rising costs, and operational uncertainty. Splitting shipments or switching to costly private couriers are common temporary fixes. |
| Postal Agencies | Rushing to implement systems like PDDP, shifting to duty-paid shipping models, and engaging with U.S. Customs to restore service continu |
Outlook & What to Expect
- No firm timeline exists for a return to normal shipping; resumption depends on establishing clear compliance frameworks and duty-handling protocols.
- Some solutions are in development:
- Royal Mail’s PDDP for duty-paid shipping.
- Australia Post’s partnerships with third-party duty collection services like Zonos.
- Ongoing talks between postal operators and U.S. Customs to clarify obligations.
Key Takeaway
The global pause in postal shipments to the U.S. stems from the abrupt end of the long-standing duty-free exemption for low-value goods—an implementational change made without adequate notice. Carriers worldwide are now racing to adapt to new tariff rules, duty payment structures, and data requirements before services can fully resume.
