USPS halts China, Hong Kong parcels amid trade tensions
The American Postal Service has suspended accepting parcels from China and Hong Kong. According to the USPS website, residents of the USA will not receive packages from these regions "until further notice."
According to the Postal Service's website statement, this change takes effect immediately and will remain in place "until further notice." Letters and large envelopes, referred to as "flats," sent from China and Hong Kong will not be included in this suspension.
Trump suspended accepting shipments under "de minimis" as part of his plan to introduce an additional 10% tariff on China and 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico. On Monday, he agreed to hold off for 30 days on imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico, but the tax on goods from China remains in effect.
The end of "de minimis"
USPS did not comment on whether this move is a consequence of US President Donald Trump's decision to stop accepting shipments under "de minimis" from China and other countries. Under this regulation, exporters could send packages valued below $800 to the USA without duty.
The "de minimis" regulation was crucial for Chinese e-commerce companies, including Shein and Temu. These companies aim to increase their presence in the USA by offering very low prices on many items, from clothing and furniture to electronics and home decor.
The USA received over 1.3 billion "de minimis" shipments in 2024. According to a June 2023 report by the US Congressional Committee on China, almost half of all packages sent under "de minimis" come from China.
It is unclear whether the suspension affects parcel shipments sent through private postal carriers from China and Hong Kong.
