The Universal Postal Union reported that 88 foreign postal services have halted some or all shipments to the U.S. since elimination of the “de minimis exemption,” which had allowed parcels worth $800 or less to bypass customs duties. Photo by Jason Hawke, Unsplash.

News Release

BERN — International mail deliveries to the United States plunged more than 80% after the Trump administration scrapped a long-standing tariff exemption for low-cost imports, the United Nations postal agency said.

The Universal Postal Union reported that 88 foreign postal services have halted some or all shipments to the U.S. since the rule took effect. The policy eliminates the “de minimis exemption,” which had allowed parcels worth $800 or less to bypass customs duties. The sudden drop stems from a requirement that carriers or U.S.-approved intermediaries collect and remit duties on incoming packages.

Many airlines and postal operators said they were not prepared to meet the obligation, leading to widespread suspensions of service. Electronic data shared across the UPU’s global network showed an 81% decline in traffic from its 192 member countries compared with the week before the rule change.

The exemption, in place in various forms since 1938, had been criticized by the Trump administration as a loophole exploited by foreign businesses to avoid tariffs and by criminals smuggling drugs.

Under the new system, imports are now subject to tariff rates of 10% to 50%, depending on the country of origin. U.S. residents, however, can still receive gifts valued up to $100 duty-free, and travelers may bring back $200 in souvenirs without charges.

The UPU said members were not given adequate time or guidance to implement the new procedures, creating “major operational disruptions.”

The agency has begun rolling out tools to help postal operators calculate and collect duties in an effort to restore shipments.