European postal services have suspended parcel shipments to the United States as uncertainty looms over impending tariffs. Major operators, including France's La Poste, Germany's Deutsche Post, and Spain's Correos, halted most U.S.-bound shipments over the weekend, with Austria's Österreichische Post and the UK's Royal Mail set to follow suit on Tuesday.
The decision comes after U.S. President Trump signed an executive order last month eliminating a tax exemption that allowed small packages valued under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free, effective August 29. This exemption was a significant benefit for many small European businesses, with 1.36 billion packages sent last year under this rule, totaling $64.6 billion in goods, according to U.S. Customs.
Under the new regulations, parcels that previously qualified for the "de minimis" exemption will now face a 15% tariff, aligning with the rates imposed on most other imports from the European Union. This shift raises concerns for businesses reliant on cross-Atlantic trade, as they scramble to adjust to the new costs and logistics.
As postal operators prepare for the impending changes, the impact on small businesses could be significant, potentially leading to increased prices for consumers and decreased competitiveness for European goods in the U.S. market. Related coverage on similar situations can be found in our article on recent developments regarding tariff implications.
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