25 Countries Temporarily Suspend Postal Services to the United States
The Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, has announced that 25 member countries have decided to temporarily suspend their postal services to the United States in response to the cancellation of the customs exemption known as “de minimis.”
This exemption previously allowed small packages valued under $800 to be exempt from customs duties. However, starting from August 29, 2025, all shipments will be subject to customs duties ranging from 10% to 50%, or fixed fees between $80 and $200.
Postal operators have noted a lack of clarity regarding the new procedures, including who will collect the fees, what data is required, and how it will be transmitted to U.S. authorities.
Among the countries that confirmed the suspension of their services are Australia, Norway, Switzerland, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, India, and Japan.
This move reflects the growing concerns among postal and logistics operators regarding unilateral reforms that may directly impact small businesses, online sellers, and consumers who had previously benefited from this exemption.
