Hongkong Post has announced the suspension of services for parcels destined for the United States, a significant move that comes in response to new tariffs imposed by the US government. Effective immediately, the postal service will no longer accept surface mail parcels containing goods bound for the US, while air mail services for such items will cease from April 27, 2025.
The announcement was made on April 16, 2025, as Hongkong Post informed the public about the implications of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. This order eliminates the "de minimis" allowance, which previously exempted small packages valued under $800 from tariffs. Starting May 2, 2025, a new tariff of $100 will be levied on these parcels, increasing to $200 from June.
In a statement, the Hong Kong government condemned the US actions as "bullying" and "abusive," asserting that the new tariffs would impose exorbitant costs on senders. "Hongkong Post will definitely not collect any so-called tariffs on behalf of the US and will suspend the acceptance of postal items containing goods destined to the US," the statement read.
For senders who have already posted parcels via surface mail but which have not yet been shipped, Hongkong Post will reach out to arrange returns and refunds starting from April 22. However, postal items that consist solely of documents will remain unaffected by the new regulations.
This latest development follows a history of fluctuating postal service acceptance in response to US tariff announcements. Earlier in February 2025, Hongkong Post had also halted acceptance of parcels bound for the US after Trump announced an additional 10 percent levy on Chinese products. Services resumed after the US confirmed that no further tariffs would be imposed on packages from Hong Kong.
As tensions rise in the ongoing trade war between the US and China, the impact of these tariffs is expected to be felt widely. Current US levies on products from China, including those from Hong Kong, stand at 145 percent, while China's retaliatory duties on US imports are at 125 percent. Critics of the tariffs argue that they will ultimately hurt consumers by significantly driving up costs.
Chief Secretary Eric Chan, in an interview with local newspaper Sing Tao, described the tariff hikes as "blackmail," asserting that they do not comply with international practices. The Hong Kong government has urged residents to brace for potentially high shipping costs as a result of these new regulations.
In light of these developments, residents and businesses in Hong Kong are encouraged to consider alternative shipping methods or to prepare for the financial implications of sending goods to the US. The public can reach out to the Hongkong Post enquiry hotline at 2921 2222 for further inquiries regarding the suspension of services.
This suspension of postal services to the US marks another chapter in the ongoing trade tensions that have characterized US-China relations in recent years. As both sides continue to impose tariffs, the future of trade and shipping between these two significant economies remains uncertain.
