The expiration of a long-standing U.S. tariff exemption on low-value packages is disrupting transatlantic shipping, with multiple European postal services announcing a pause in deliveries to the United States.
The exemption, known as the de minimis rule, allowed packages valued under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free. In 2024 alone, 1.36 billion parcels worth $64.6 billion were shipped under the policy, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The exemption is set to expire Friday, with new tariffs taking effect immediately afterward.
Postal operators in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Italy confirmed on Saturday that they would suspend shipments of most merchandise to the U.S. France and Austria are expected to follow suit on Monday, while the U.K.’s Royal Mail said it would halt shipments by Tuesday to avoid parcels being caught in the new rules.
DHL, Europe’s largest parcel carrier, said it could no longer accept business shipments bound for the U.S., citing “unresolved questions” over how customs duties will be collected and what new data would be required by American authorities.
The new tariff framework, agreed last month between Washington and Brussels, imposes a 15% duty on most EU-origin goods. Items from the U.K. valued above $100, including personal gifts, will face a 10% duty, according to Royal Mail.
Postal services across Europe stressed that the lack of clarity from U.S. authorities left them with little choice. “If you have something to send to America, you should do it today,” warned Wout Witteveen of PostNL in the Netherlands, noting that U.S. systems for duty collection remain incomplete.
Poste Italiane confirmed it would suspend all merchandise shipments starting August 23, while continuing to accept standard mail. Austria’s national postal operator said Tuesday would be the last day for commercial shipments to the U.S., including Puerto Rico.
La Poste in France echoed the concerns, accusing U.S. customs of failing to provide enough notice or technical guidance for European carriers to adjust.
Industry body PostEurop, which represents 51 postal operators, warned that unless a resolution is found by August 29, its members may be forced to suspend all shipments of goods to the U.S.
The shift follows an earlier decision by Washington to end duty-free exemptions for Chinese imports in May, part of broader tariff policies aimed at curbing low-value foreign goods entering American markets.
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