US Postal Service suspends inbound parcels from China, Hong Kong

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US Postal Service suspends inbound parcels from China, Hong Kong

Loveworld / 36 minutes

February 5, 2025

2 min read

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced a temporary suspension of parcel shipments from China and Hong Kong. This move follows recent actions by the Trump administration to end a trade provision that previously allowed retailers to ship low-value packages to the U.S. without paying tariffs.
As of Tuesday, President Trump implemented an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods, along with the elimination of the “de minimis” exemption. Under the de minimis rule, U.S. consumers were not required to pay customs duties on shipments valued at or below $800. The changes come as part of ongoing concerns from the administration regarding China’s efforts to stem the flow of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, into the United States.
The USPS has clarified that the suspension will not affect the delivery of letters and ‘flats’—a category of mail that includes items up to 15 inches in length and 3/4 inch in thickness. The postal service did not immediately comment on whether this measure is directly tied to the administration’s decision to eliminate the de minimis exemption for shipments from China and other countries.
While the move may disrupt some international shipments, there are potential benefits. The suspension and tariff adjustments are expected to help level the playing field for U.S. businesses by reducing the flow of low-cost goods entering the market without proper taxation. This could promote fairer competition for domestic retailers and reduce the strain on U.S. manufacturers who face higher costs to produce goods. Additionally, closing the de minimis loophole could enhance efforts to curb illegal trade and illicit substances, including fentanyl, by tightening customs enforcement and improving regulatory oversight.