Major European postal services have abruptly suspended many shipments to the United States due to recently announced tariffs and customs regulations imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration. The measures, which eliminate the longstanding “de minimis” exemption on low-value goods, have sparked widespread disruption across international mail networks.
What Has Happened?
On July 30, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order ending the de minimis exemption, a policy that previously allowed international shipments valued under $800 to enter the US without paying customs duties or facing complex paperwork. This key exemption officially expires on August 29, 2025, but shipping disruptions have already begun as postal operators scramble to comply.
Who Is Affected?
As a result of the policy, several European and international postal operators have suspended or will soon suspend shipments of goods to the US:
- Deutsche Post and DHL Parcel Germany: Halting most business parcels to the US after August 22, 2025. Only personal gifts under $100 declared as “gifts” and documents via standard service are allowed. DHL Express remains operational for premium shipments.
- PostNord (Sweden and Denmark): Pausing shipments containing goods to the US and Puerto Rico beginning August 23, 2025.
- Latvian Post: Indefinite halt on all items and packages to the US starting August 23.
- bpost (Belgium): Temporary pause on postal shipments with goods to the US starts August 23.
- Austrian Post: Last day to send US-bound goods is August 25; full halt takes effect August 26.
- France’s La Poste: Suspension of parcels (except for certain gifts) begins August 25.
- Norway’s Posten Bring: Halting all low-value shipments to the US as of August 23.
These suspensions are accompanied by uncertainty among other international carriers, including UK’s Royal Mail, which is warning account customers about new prepaid duties and customs requirements, and by Australia Post, which is monitoring the situation but has not fully ceased shipments as of this writing.
The Roots of the Disruption
Postal organizations cite a lack of technical clarity and preparedness regarding the new requirements. Responsibilities for collecting duties, managing payment at point of sale, and handling rejected packages have not been fully resolved. Some services warn there is no mechanism in place for returns if US customs refuses packages with unpaid duties—a risk that could expose senders to unexpected costs and chaos.
Are Private Shipments and Documents Affected?
Most carriers will continue to permit personal documents and “gifts” valued under $100 to the US, but these will face increased scrutiny to prevent mislabelling. Only premium or express services, which can handle more complex customs declarations, remain largely unaffected for business customers—albeit at significantly higher shipping fees.
Broader Impact
- Online sellers and international e-commerce platforms, including Etsy, have started suspending use of standard international postal labels to the US due to the changes.
- Small businesses and individual sellers face new barriers and costs when shipping to American customers, creating significant uncertainty in transatlantic commerce.
What Happens Next?
Postal operators say these halts are temporary and that they hope to resume full US-bound parcel services as soon as compliant systems and protocols are established. However, they caution that unless outstanding regulatory and operational issues are resolved before August 29, the suspension of shipments could be prolonged.
The sudden changes signal a major shift in transatlantic postal trade, with millions of parcels now at risk of delays, increased costs, or outright rejection at the US border. As the world adapts to new tariff realities, senders and recipients alike are urged to check with local postal authorities for the latest updates.