30+ countries halt US mail over Trump's $800 tariff change

Over 30 countries (88 postal operators confirmed by Universal Postal Union) suspended package shipments to United States starting Aug. 22-25, 2025. Postal services in Germany, France, Italy, UK, India, Japan, Switzerland, Austria, and others cited confusion over new US import duty rules, with postal traffic dropping 81% on Aug. 29, 2025.

Trump signed Executive Order 14324 on Jul. 30, 2025 eliminating de minimis exemption that allowed goods worth up to $800 to enter US duty-free. The policy takes effect Aug. 29, 2025 at 12:01 AM EDT, requiring all international packages (except personal gifts under $100) to pay country-specific tariffs or flat rates of 30% or $25/item through postal networks.

Deutsche Post and DHL Parcel Germany announced Aug. 22 they could not accept parcels destined for US. Key questions remained unresolved about who collects customs duties and how data transmission to US Customs and Border Protection would work.

European postal operators from PostNord, La Poste, Poste Italiane, and Austrian Post followed with similar announcements. They cite operational and technical readiness concerns about suddenly-imposed duty collection requirements.

India's communications ministry explained that Trump's executive order requires transport carriers to collect and remit tariff duties. Several critical processes relating to qualified party designation and duty collection mechanisms remain undefined.

The Universal Postal Union treaties governing international mail assume predictable shipping costs and simple customs procedures. Trump's constantly changing tariff rates overwhelm systems designed for century-old simplicity.

American exporters face immediate order cancellations as foreign buyers can't receive products. Domestic retailers lose access to imported inventory needed for holiday sales seasons.

The shipping halt affects approximately 4 million daily packages (1.36 billion packages annually) worth $64.6 billion that entered duty-free in fiscal year 2024. For items from countries with tariff rates of 25% or more like China, Brazil, India, Switzerland, and Canada, an $800 product now faces at least $200 in additional costs.

The shipping halt affects 1.36 billion packages worth $64.6 billion that entered duty-free in 2024. For items from countries with tariff rates of 25% or more like China, Brazil, India, Switzerland, and Canada, an $800 product now faces at least $200 in additional costs.