The number of postal operators suspending services to the US is growing following the end of tariff exemptions for small parcels, now including 25 countries.
The temporary suspension comes as shipping companies scramble to understand what will replace the “de minimis” exemption that allowed goods worth less than €690 to enter the US duty-free and is set to run out on 29 August.
After this date, documents, packages, and parcels containing gifts with a value of up to €86 sent from individuals in the EU to individuals in the US can be sent as usual.
Last week, some European postal operators such as leading Belgian postal operator bPost or Swedish-Danish operator PostNord announced that they would seize delivery to the US. This week, the number of countries has grown to 25, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) said.
While the UN agency stressed that it stands by any country’s right to adopt customs policies as they see fit, the new US rules “will entail considerable operational changes for postal operators around the world”.
“The postal operators of 25 member countries have already advised the UPU that they have suspended their outbound postal services to the US, citing uncertainties specifically related to transit services.”
Among the countries suspending their shipments are Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, France, Japan, Germany, Australia, Italy, and Austria.
The disruption comes at a time of heightened transatlantic trade tensions. In July, Brussels and Washington struck a deal imposing a 15% flat tariff on most European goods, adding to a wave of tariff and subsidy disputes.
The European Commission did not respond to a request for comment.
(vib)
UPDATE: This article has been updated to include further information on gifts and documents.
