Postal traffic to U.S. fell 80% after gov stopped exemption on low-value parcels
3 days ago
- #Universal Postal Union
- #US Postal Policy
- #Trade Tariffs
- Postal traffic to the U.S. dropped by over 80% after the Trump administration ended a tariff exemption for low-cost imports.
- The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is implementing new measures to help postal operators calculate and collect duties after the U.S. removed the 'de minimis exemption' for parcels valued at $800 or less.
- 88 postal operators have suspended some or all services to the U.S. due to the new rules, causing major disruptions as carriers are unwilling or unable to collect duties.
- The number of low-value parcels entering the U.S. surged from 134 million in 2015 to 1.4 billion in 2025, with over 4 million 'de minimis' shipments processed daily before the change.
- The de minimis provision, added to the Tariff Act of 1930, was intended to ease trade by exempting low-cost goods from customs duties, but now these shipments require vetting and tariffs.
- U.S. residents are exempt from duties on gifts up to $100 or personal souvenirs up to $200, but other low-value imports face tariffs ranging from 10% to 50%.
- The UPU criticized the lack of time and guidance provided to members to comply with the new procedures outlined in Trump's July 30 executive order.