[An employee manages packages. Photo credit to Pexels]

International postal and shipping services from more than 30 countries have suspended or limited deliveries to the United States following the recent elimination of the “de minimis” exemption, going into effect on August 29, 2025.

The U.S. government’s decision, initiated through an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on July 30, abolished the previous policy that allowed imports valued under $800 to enter duty and tax-free.

Officials justified the move as a necessary step to curb tariff evasion and smuggling.

The term “de minimis,” which means something too minor to merit consideration, was a key principle in international trade, allowing low-value goods to bypass customs charges.

Under the new rules, all imported goods are now subject to tariffs ranging from 10-50% regardless of its size or value.

Clark Packard, a trade expert at the libertarian Cato Institute, told PBS news that the change could raise prices without necessarily driving large-scale reshoring of production.

“I think that eliminating the de minimis exemption on its own will not do much to reshore production of various products, and if it did it would certainly raise the cost of those products,” he said.

“But when you add the de minimis exemption elimination to the broader trade agenda of the Trump administration, including aggressive tariffs on all kinds of products, maybe it does a little bit to induce more manufacturing in the United States.”

Postal systems across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and other locations have cited unclear guidance and minimal preparation time as the main reasons for suspending shipments to the U.S. 

Germany’s Deutsche Post and DHL Parcel Germany paused business parcels despite DHL Express services continuing operating.

Similar restrictions have been implemented by France, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Japan, and Australia. 

India suspended most postal services to the U.S. as of August 25, allowing only letters and limited exemptions.

The Universal Postal Union (UPU), the United Nations agency overseeing global mail, criticized the abrupt transition and said it left member states with little time to adjust their customs systems. 

The agency is now working with U.S. counterparts to clarify requirements and support members in compliance efforts.

Small exporters and e-commerce sellers have been hit hardest, especially those dependent on affordable international shipping.

In Australia, exporters of sustainable clothing and cosmetics report sharp cost increases and disrupted orders, threatening access to the U.S. market.

Major e-commerce platforms such as Etsy, Shein, and Temu are also experiencing fallout, as smaller vendors face delivery delays, canceled transactions, and customer complaints, unlike larger corporations with dedicated logistics systems.

Industry experts warn that beyond immediate disruptions, the policy shift could largely impact and restructure consumer behavior and shipping occurring across borders.

U.S. consumers may face higher prices and surprise import fees while businesses may move toward more regionalized supply chains or U.S.-based manufacturing to avoid complexities in shipping.

Officials maintain that the change was necessary to close loopholes that allowed illegal goods and tax-evaded products to excessively enter the U.S. market, as well as to reinforce its customs policies.

As of now, many postal service operators are actively seeking solutions through either new duty collection systems, prepaid customs declarations, partnership with compliant logistics providers, and more.