Since August 29, postal traffic to the United States has dropped sharply following the suspension of the duty-free de minimis exemption by President Donald Trump. The Universal Postal Union (UPU), a United Nations agency overseeing global postal cooperation, reported an 81% decline in mail from member countries to the U.S. on the day the change took effect, compared to the previous week.
The UPU stated, “88 postal operators informed the UPU they have suspended some or all postal services to the U.S. until a solution is implemented, highlighting the widespread impact of the U.S. Executive Order eliminating the de minimis exemption for low-value goods.” The exemption previously allowed goods valued at $800 or less to enter the U.S. without duties or certain taxes, facilitating online retail growth from companies like Temu and Shein.
UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki said, “The UPU has in its mission the responsibility to guarantee the free circulation of postal items over a single postal territory. We’re working to uphold that responsibility with the rapid development of a new technical solution that will help get mail moving to the United States again.”
The suspension affects commercial shipments but not personal items. Since 2015, shipments claiming the exemption increased over 600%, reaching 1.36 billion in 2024, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The exemption, established in 1938 and raised to $800 in 2016, was initially suspended by Trump in February amid concerns over fentanyl, with processing systems later put in place.
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
