The US Postal Service has halted parcel acceptance from China following new tariff rules imposed by President Trump.
USPS Temporarily Suspends Accepting Parcels from China Amid Trump Tariff Changes
USPS Temporarily Suspends Accepting Parcels from China Amid Trump Tariff Changes
New restrictions will curtail Chinese e-commerce shipments to the US.
The US Postal Service (USPS) has announced a stoppage on accepting parcels originating from mainland China and Hong Kong, effective immediately, while asserting that letter services will not be impacted by this decision. The USPS has not disclosed specific reasons for this suspension, but it coincides with new trade measures that took effect earlier this week, closing a loophole that enabled duty-free shipping of small packages valued at $800 or less.
This loophole, referenced as the de minimis exemption, had become a point of contention as prominent Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Shein and Temu rapidly expanded their services to US consumers. In a significant move, President Donald Trump announced an additional 10% tariff on all goods imported from China, which could signal a major shift in US-China trade dynamics.
As part of the recent measures, tariffs will also now apply to various other imports, including 15% tariffs on coal and liquefied natural gas starting from February 10, with additional levies on crude oil and agricultural machinery. In response, China plans to implement retaliatory tariffs on selected American imports.
Experts have noted that the flow of goods that entered the US under the de minimis exemption has been increasingly scrutinized due to concerns over illegal goods slipping through the cracks without adequate checks. Nick Stowe, the chief executive of Monsoon & Accessorize, expressed support for the changes, highlighting that major retailers in the UK, Europe, and the US have faced challenges competing with companies utilizing this loophole effectively for their large-scale operations.
While a communication between Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping was anticipated, Trump stated he was not expedited discussions, reflecting the complexities within the current trade relationship. The USPS and other officials are likely to continue assessing the impact of these changes on the flow of parcels from China moving forward, as they adapt to a rapidly evolving trade landscape.
This development invites further examination of how ongoing tariff and trade policies will shape the future of direct shipping from foreign retailers to US consumers.
This loophole, referenced as the de minimis exemption, had become a point of contention as prominent Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Shein and Temu rapidly expanded their services to US consumers. In a significant move, President Donald Trump announced an additional 10% tariff on all goods imported from China, which could signal a major shift in US-China trade dynamics.
As part of the recent measures, tariffs will also now apply to various other imports, including 15% tariffs on coal and liquefied natural gas starting from February 10, with additional levies on crude oil and agricultural machinery. In response, China plans to implement retaliatory tariffs on selected American imports.
Experts have noted that the flow of goods that entered the US under the de minimis exemption has been increasingly scrutinized due to concerns over illegal goods slipping through the cracks without adequate checks. Nick Stowe, the chief executive of Monsoon & Accessorize, expressed support for the changes, highlighting that major retailers in the UK, Europe, and the US have faced challenges competing with companies utilizing this loophole effectively for their large-scale operations.
While a communication between Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping was anticipated, Trump stated he was not expedited discussions, reflecting the complexities within the current trade relationship. The USPS and other officials are likely to continue assessing the impact of these changes on the flow of parcels from China moving forward, as they adapt to a rapidly evolving trade landscape.
This development invites further examination of how ongoing tariff and trade policies will shape the future of direct shipping from foreign retailers to US consumers.
