Postal services across Europe and beyond have hit the brakes on sending some packages to the United States, as new U.S. import tax rules—fast-tracked by President Donald Trump’s administration—send shockwaves through the international shipping industry. The changes, which take effect on August 29, 2025, eliminate the long-standing duty-free exemption for low-value parcels and have left both major logistics companies and small businesses scrambling to adapt.
On Friday, August 22, 2025, the German and French postal services were among the first to announce major restrictions on U.S.-bound deliveries, citing confusion and unresolved questions surrounding the new regulations. DHL Group, which owns Deutsche Post, said it would "temporarily suspend" its standard category of package delivery to the U.S. starting Saturday, a service widely used by small businesses. "The reason for the restrictions, which we expect to be temporary, are new processes for postal delivery which have been put in place by the US authorities," DHL stated, as reported by FRANCE 24. The company added, "Important questions have not yet been answered, including who will have to pay the tariffs and how."
France’s La Poste echoed these concerns, announcing it would suspend most package deliveries to the U.S. from Monday, August 25, except for gifts sent by individuals valued under 100 euros (about $116). La Poste highlighted the logistical headache caused by the late notice from U.S. authorities, who only issued the new rules on August 15. "European postal services [were left] with an extremely limited timeframe to get prepared," La Poste told AFP, adding that the required documentation "still requires further clarification." On average, the French postal service sends 1.6 million packages to the U.S. annually, with 80% coming from businesses and 20% from individuals.
The move by DHL and La Poste aligns with similar announcements from a slew of other European postal firms. The U.K.’s Royal Mail, Norwegian group Posten Bring, Swedish-Danish PostNord, Belgian Bpost, and Austrian Post all paused shipments to the U.S. in anticipation of the new rules, according to Sourcing Journal. Royal Mail, for its part, withdrew current U.S. export services for businesses from Tuesday, August 26, but said it hoped to update its systems quickly to comply before the new rules kick in. "We have been working hard with US authorities and international partners to adapt our services to meet the new US de minimis requirements so UK consumers and businesses can continue to use our services when they come into effect," Royal Mail said, as reported by BBC News.
Cards and letters are unaffected by the changes and can still be posted as usual. For packages, however, the landscape has shifted dramatically. The U.S. had previously allowed a so-called de minimis exemption on packages worth up to $800, letting consumers buy items from international retailers without paying import duties. That’s now history. Starting August 29, all packages—except gifts worth less than $100—will face the same tariff rate as other imports from their country of origin. The Trump administration’s July executive order, which ended the global import tax exemption, was meant to take effect in 2027 but has been accelerated by two years.
According to BBC News, the White House explained the change as a way to combat "escalating deceptive shipping practices, illegal material, and duty circumvention," with officials claiming some shippers had abused the exemption to send illicit drugs into the U.S. The administration also pointed to a dramatic surge in de minimis shipments—from 115 million in the 2023/24 fiscal year to 309 million by June 30, 2025—as evidence of the policy’s necessity. While China remains a major source of these parcels, Canada and Mexico also account for significant volumes.
For businesses and consumers alike, the immediate effect is confusion and disruption. DHL’s press release highlighted the "confusion logistics companies are experiencing as the new de minimis rules come into play, particularly when it comes to customs clearance for goods entering the U.S." The company noted that key questions remain unresolved, especially regarding how and by whom customs duties will be collected, what additional data will be required, and how data will be transmitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
To navigate the new terrain, DHL said it would continue to offer its more expensive "express" service for packages weighing up to 70 kilograms (154 pounds), and individual customers can still send gifts valued up to $100, though these will be subject to extra checks to prevent commercial misuse. Shipping via DHL Express remains possible, the company confirmed, but warned that gifts and documents would be scrutinized more closely.
Other European postal services, including those in Belgium, Austria, and Denmark, have already taken similar measures, suspending or restricting U.S.-bound packages. PostNord, for example, announced its service suspension after the U.S. authorities provided critical details only on August 15. "This decision is unfortunate but necessary to ensure full compliance of the newly implemented rules," said Bjorn Bergman, PostNord’s head of group brand and communication.
The ripple effect has spread beyond postal carriers. U.S.-based online marketplace Etsy suspended shipping label purchases for Australia Post, Canada Post, Royal Mail, and Evri for U.S.-bound packages starting August 25, as couriers adjusted their services. Etsy advised its sellers, "The state of tariffs is evolving, so please be sure to keep an eye on recommendations from your preferred shipping carrier."
These changes are not just a headache for European shippers. Earlier this year, DHL suspended delivery of packages to the U.S. valued over $800 after CBP lowered the threshold for formal entry processing from $2,500 to $800, resulting in significant customs delays. This move was not directly tied to the de minimis changes but underscored the logistical challenges of adapting to shifting U.S. customs policy. DHL reversed course in late April after the threshold was raised back to $2,500.
The U.S. is not alone in reconsidering its approach to low-value imports. The U.K.’s Trade Remedies Authority began reviewing its own de minimis limit of 135 pounds ($183) in April, following complaints from domestic retailers that foreign businesses were able to undercut them thanks to the exemption. As David Jinks of ParcelHero told Sourcing Journal, "The price of not scrapping the U.K. de minimis limit is likely to be higher than doing it." The European Union, meanwhile, plans to withdraw its value-added tax (VAT) threshold of 150 euros ($176) in 2028, with proposals for a blanket fee on every incoming package.
For now, the future of cross-border e-commerce remains clouded by uncertainty. Postal companies are working feverishly to update their systems and clarify procedures, while businesses and consumers weigh the cost and complexity of sending goods across the Atlantic. As DHL put it, "The company's goal is to resume postal goods shipping to the US as quickly as possible." But with so many moving parts—and so little time to adapt—nobody’s betting on a quick fix.
As the new U.S. tariffs come into force, international shipping faces a pivotal moment, with businesses, consumers, and logistics giants alike bracing for a period of upheaval and adjustment. The next few weeks will reveal just how quickly the industry can reinvent itself in the face of a rapidly changing regulatory landscape.
