GENEVA: At least 25 countries have temporarily halted package deliveries to the United States due to uncertainty over new tariffs announced by the Trump administration, the United Nations’ Universal Postal Union (UPU) said on Wednesday.
The US government announced last month it would remove a tax exemption on small packages entering the country, effective August 29. Postal operators in countries including France, Britain, Germany, Italy, India, Australia, and Japan have since indicated they will no longer accept most packages bound for the US.
The UPU said the suspensions will remain until the US provides further clarity on how the new measures will be implemented. Postal operators cited concerns specifically related to transit services.
Established in 1874 with 192 member states, the UPU warned that the US measures would require significant operational adjustments. From Friday, postal carriers sending packages to the US will need to collect customs duties from senders in advance, on behalf of US Customs and Border Protection.
Under the new rules, documents and items valued at up to $100 sent as gifts can still enter the US tax-free. Packages exceeding that value will be subject to tariffs applied to other imports from the same country, including 15% for EU states and 50% for India. Germany’s DHL also warned that even exempted items may face extra checks to ensure they are not used for commercial purposes.
UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki sent a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, highlighting concerns over operational disruptions caused by the new measures.
India is set to impose some of the highest tariffs on its exports to the US this week unless the administration issues a last-minute reversal. President Trump has linked the duties to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil, threatening 50% tariffs. The three-week deadline, issued on August 6, is expected to take effect Wednesday morning in India.
