US Postal Service Suspends Parcel Deliveries from China, Hong Kong Amid Trade Scrutiny

In a significant move, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced it will temporarily halt the acceptance of parcels from mainland China and Hong Kong.

The suspension, which affects only parcels and not letters, is set to remain in place “until further notice.”

The USPS did not provide a reason for this decision, nor has it responded to a BBC News request for further comment.

The announcement comes amidst rising tensions between the U.S. and China, with former President Donald Trump’s administration recently imposing an additional 10% tariff on all goods imported from China.

This tariff, part of a broader trade policy aimed at addressing trade imbalances, also eliminated an exemption that previously allowed goods worth $800 or less to enter the U.S. without paying duties or taxes.

The “de minimis” tax loophole had been a target of scrutiny in recent years, particularly as Chinese e-commerce giants such as Shein and Temu gained traction in the U.S. market.

This loophole allowed parcels worth under $800 to bypass certain customs checks, but U.S. officials had raised concerns about the increasing volume of such shipments, making it difficult to properly screen them for illegal goods.

While the USPS has not provided a clear reason for suspending parcel shipments from China and Hong Kong, the suspension adds to the growing list of trade-related changes affecting the flow of goods between the two nations.

The halt comes as part of a broader U.S. effort to combat what officials view as growing concerns about goods entering the country unchecked, especially from Chinese companies operating in the e-commerce space.

The USPS has not indicated how long the suspension will last, leaving many to speculate about the impact it will have on international trade and the delivery of e-commerce goods from China.

As of now, the suspension remains in place “until further notice,” and it is unclear if it will be extended or lifted in the near future.