More than 30 nations have suspended or restricted parcel shipments to the United States ahead of new tariff rules going into effect Friday, Aug. 29.
The United Nations’ Universal Postal Union (UPU), which coordinates international postal systems, confirmed that over two dozen member states paused consignments due to uncertainties surrounding President Donald Trump’s decision to end the long-standing “de minimis” exemption.
End of Duty-Free Exemption
The de minimis rule, in place for decades, allowed packages worth less than $800 to enter the U.S. without tariffs. Customs and Border Protection said these shipments were valued at more than $1.36 billion in 2024.
The Trump administration argued the exemption was being exploited by foreign retailers — particularly China-based companies like Shein and Temu — to flood the U.S. market with low-value imports. More than half of all de minimis packages came from China, with Temu and Shein accounting for over 30% of those shipments.
The policy was originally set to end in February but was delayed after logistical backlogs. Imports from China and Hong Kong lost their exemption in May, with the nationwide phase-out finalized for Aug. 29.