Eliminate exemption from customs duties for international deliveries worldwide - Worldwide duty-free privileges revoked by the United States
The United States government has implemented new rules for international postal services, aiming to curb the smuggling of dangerous goods into the country.
In response to the increased workload, international postal services have recently restricted shipments to the U.S. Notably, the White House has expressed harsh words towards services that have restricted shipments, urging them to collect more information about the contents of packages.
However, there is an exception for "true" gifts valued under $100. The new rules also mandate that applicable U.S. tariffs for the country of origin must be paid on the goods, or an alternative fee of $80 to $200 for a six-month transition period.
President Donald Trump justified this step due to the large-scale smuggling of dangerous drugs into the U.S. through packages exempt from duties under the "De Minimis" rule. The U.S. government claims that Chinese senders are now seeking alternative routes through other countries.
The end of the tariff exemption has led to a significant decrease in the number of small-value packages from China to the U.S. The number of packages imported to the U.S. has dropped from four million daily to one million after the tariff exemption was abolished.
Several European postal services, including DHL and other PostEurop member countries, are currently restricting or suspending standard parcel shipments to the USA. Some are using alternative express services like DHL Express that apply commercial customs clearance procedures, while others are coordinating with US authorities to find solutions. Logistics providers like GLS continue sending to the USA with full customs data and proper Incoterms usage, maintaining reliable alternatives amid these changes.
The increase in duty-free package deliveries is a recent trend, partly attributed to online retail platforms like Temu and Shein. The tariff exemption for packages from all over the world, initially suspended only for China, has now been abolished as of July 31.
The White House is encouraging international postal services to provide more detailed information about the contents of packages. If regular postal services abandon shipments to the U.S., express providers may take over their business.
It's worth noting that over 90% of "De Minimis" packages are transported by express carriers like FedEx or UPS. The United States has ended the tariff exemption for goods imports valued under $800 starting from Friday.
The new rules are part of the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and security of goods entering the U.S., and they are expected to have a significant impact on international postal services and package deliveries.
