The global shipping industry is facing a major shake-up as postal services across Europe and Asia suspend shipments of merchandise to the United States, in response to the imminent end of the so-called "de minimis" tariff exemption. For years, this exemption allowed packages valued at less than $800 to enter the U.S. duty free, a policy that facilitated the smooth entry of billions of small parcels from around the world. But as the clock ticks down to the August 29, 2025 deadline, confusion and uncertainty have prompted a wave of suspensions and warnings from logistics providers, leaving consumers and businesses scrambling for alternatives.
According to the Associated Press, the "de minimis" exemption accounted for a staggering 1.36 billion packages in 2024 alone, representing goods worth $64.6 billion. The exemption has been a lifeline for international e-commerce, especially for fast fashion giants like Temu and Shein, which rely on direct-to-consumer shipping models. But that era is coming to an abrupt end.
The trigger for this sudden halt is the expiration of the exemption, combined with a new U.S.-EU trade framework that imposes a 15% tariff on most products shipped from the European Union, including those under the $800 threshold. The U.S. had already ended the duty-free status for goods from China in May 2025, and now the extension of tariffs is rippling across the globe.
Postal services in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Italy were among the first to announce the suspension of most merchandise shipments to the U.S., effective August 23, 2025. France and Austria soon followed, setting their own start dates for suspensions on August 25. The U.K.'s Royal Mail planned to halt shipments on August 26, citing the need to ensure packages could arrive before the new duties take effect. "Items originating in the United Kingdom worth over $100 — including gifts to friends and family — will incur a 10% duty," Royal Mail explained, according to the Associated Press. The Netherlands' PostNL also confirmed a pause, while Belgium joined the list of affected countries, as reported by Fox Business.
The uncertainty is not limited to Europe. Asian nations such as Singapore and Thailand have also announced pauses on shipments to the U.S. Thailand Post, in a statement quoted by Fox Business, noted, "The halt underscores the sweeping disruption caused by President Trump’s decision to eliminate the de minimis threshold, which previously allowed low-value parcels to enter the US without customs duties." Australia Post has paused transit on a handful of packages from other countries bound for the U.S., adding to the growing list of affected regions.
Why such a dramatic response? The answer lies in the lack of clarity surrounding the new rules. Postal operators and logistics companies say they have not been given enough time or information to adapt their systems to the new requirements. "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," DHL, Europe's largest shipping provider, said in a statement cited by both the Associated Press and Fox Business. The company announced that, starting August 23, it "will no longer be able to accept and transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers destined for the US."
Poste Italiane, Italy's national postal service, echoed these concerns: "In the absence of different instructions from US authorities ... Poste Italiane will be forced, like other European postal operators, to temporarily suspend acceptance of all shipments containing goods destined for the United States, starting August 23. Mail shipments not containing merchandise will continue to be accepted." The company added that shipping by services such as DHL Express remains an option for now.
Other postal operators have been equally blunt. Björn Bergman, head of PostNord’s Group Brand and Communication, described the pause as "unfortunate but necessary to ensure full compliance of the newly implemented rules." France's La Poste was even more direct, stating, "Despite discussions with U.S. customs services, no time was provided to postal operators to re-organize and assure the necessary computer updates to conform to the new rules." The Dutch PostNL spokesperson Wout Witteveen warned, "If you have something to send to America, you should do it today."
PostEurop, an association representing 51 European public postal operators, issued a stark warning: if no solution is found by August 29, all its members may be forced to suspend shipments to the U.S. This could mean a near-total shutdown of transatlantic postal commerce for goods, at least temporarily.
Behind the scenes, the White House has justified the end of the exemption by linking it to the fight against fentanyl and other illicit drugs entering the U.S. through low-value packages. According to Fox Business, the administration argued that many Chinese-based shippers have exploited the exemption to hide synthetic opioids and other illegal substances in small parcels. The volume of de minimis shipments has exploded, rising from 134 million in 2015 to 1.34 billion in 2024, a surge that has drawn the attention of customs and law enforcement agencies.
For now, the impact is being felt most acutely by small businesses and consumers who rely on affordable international shipping. The confusion over customs duties, required data, and reporting procedures has left many in limbo. Royal Mail, for its part, said it is "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." But as of this week, the path forward remains unclear.
According to Seeking Alpha, the suspension of shipments is directly linked to confusion over new import duties and unresolved customs procedures. The uncertainty has forced a host of European nations to pause shipping packages to the U.S., with the possibility of a broader, longer-lasting disruption if the issues are not resolved quickly.
As the deadline approaches, customers are left with few options and many questions. Will alternative private couriers fill the gap? How quickly can postal operators and customs agencies develop new systems to handle the flow of goods? And perhaps most pressing: when will the world’s consumers and businesses be able to resume the simple act of sending a package across the Atlantic without fear of delay, confusion, or unexpected costs?
While the answers remain elusive, one thing is certain: the end of the "de minimis" exemption marks a turning point in global e-commerce and international logistics, with ripple effects that will be felt far beyond the post office counter.
