Japan Post, Royal Mail, and DHL have temporarily suspended certain deliveries to the United States following the termination of the de minimis exemption, a U.S. trade policy that previously allowed low-value goods to enter duty-free.
The move comes in response to new customs regulations requiring transport operators to submit detailed declarations and pay tariffs on most shipments, prompting global carriers to pause services amid uncertainty over compliance procedures.
On July 30, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending duty-free de minimis treatment for all countries, effective August 29. The policy shift imposes tariffs on most low-value imports under US$800 sent outside the international postal network, with few exceptions for personal-use items under US$200 and gifts under US$100. The change disrupts a system that had fueled cross-border e-commerce, especially for platforms like Temu and Shein.
On August 22, Deutsche Post and DHL Parcel Germany said they will no longer be able to accept and transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers destined for the U.S. in response to new customs and shipping regulations.
"Due to the new customs regulations under the Executive Order 'Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for all Countries,' which will take effect on August 29, 2025, there will be temporary restrictions on postal goods shipping to the U.S. for private and business customers in Germany," the German shipping giant said.
"After August 22, Deutsche Post and DHL Parcel Germany will no longer be able to accept and transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers destined for the US."
"The reason for these anticipated temporary restrictions is new processes required by U.S. authorities for postal shipping, which differ from the previously applicable regulations," DHL added. "Key questions remain unresolved, particularly regarding how and by whom customs duties will be collected in the future, what additional data will be required, and how the data transmission to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be carried out."
It noted, that packages and parcels that contain only gifts from individuals to individuals with a value of up to US$100 and are declared as "gift," as well as documents, can continue to be sent as usual. Shipping via DHL Express also remains in place.
These changes, DHL added, affect all postal and parcel service providers worldwide, many of whom have already announced a suspension of postal shipping to the U.S.
It said that the Association of European Postal Services - PostEurop - has also communicated that its member companies will need to temporarily restrict or suspend the shipping of goods through postal networks to the U.S. in accordance with the relevant national authorities.
"Until the Executive Order takes effect, the current regulation still applies for shipments from the European Union, allowing goods with a low value (up to US$800) to be imported into the U.S. without customs duties. With the changes, all imports, except purely private shipments of gifts with a value under US$100, will be subject to customs duties as of August 29, 2025," DHL further said, adding that these regulations apply to the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
"DHL is closely monitoring the further developments and is in contact with U.S. authorities, together with its European partners," it added, noting that the company's goal is to resume postal goods shipping to the U.S. as quickly as possible.
On Aug. 25, Japan Post and Swiss Post announced they would suspend parcel shipments to the United States, joining postal services from the United Kingdom, India, New Zealand, Australia and several European countries in halting deliveries. The coordinated pause follows the executive order eliminating the long-standing "de minimis" exemption for low-value goods to the U.S.
Parcels from China and Hong Kong lost duty-free de minimis treatment in early May, and by the end of August, shipments from all countries will be subject to tariffs, regardless of origin, if their value exceeds US$100.
"Starting August 27, in line with other national postal operators, we will temporarily suspend the acceptance of postal items (small packets, parcels, and EMS (goods) to the United States that contain the following items: individual gifts with a content value exceeding 100 US dollars, [and] goods intended for sale for consumption," Japan Post said.
"In addition, we will continue to accept letters, postcards, printed matter, EMS (documents), and postal items (small packets, parcels, and EMS (goods)) containing gifts between individuals with a value of less than US$100," it added, noting that as an alternative to the above suspension of acceptance, Japan Post's international courier service, UGX (U-Global Express), can handle shipments in compliance with U.S. customs regulations.
Meanwhile, United Kingdom's national postal and courier service, Royal Mail, said it would also suspend its U.S. export services for businesses starting August 26, ahead of new customs rules set to take effect a few days after. The company said it aimed to launch a replacement system within two days to comply with the updated de minimis requirements.
"We have been working hard with U.S. authorities and international partners to adapt our services to meet the new U.S. de minimis requirements so UK consumers and businesses can continue to use our services when they come into effect," it said.
Royal Mail added that cards and letters will continue to be accepted for delivery as usual.
