Several European countries have announced a halt to their postal services to the United States following a recent decision by former US President Donald Trump to eliminate a tax exemption for low-import goods valued under $800 (€682). This significant regulatory change aims to tackle illegal and abusive practices, including the importation of illicit drugs into the United States.
As a result of this decision, postal services in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Italy have immediately ceased shipping most merchandise to the US. France and Austria are set to follow suit on Monday, with the United Kingdom expected to implement similar measures on Tuesday. Currently, Portugal has not yet taken any action regarding this regulatory change.
It is important to note that letters and small parcels valued under $100 (€85) will remain unaffected by these new regulations. However, the halt on merchandise shipments poses a significant challenge for businesses exporting to the US.
The UK's Royal Mail has expressed hope that a new system will be established in the coming days to comply with the updated rules. Meanwhile, Deutsche Post and DHL Parcel Germany have indicated that unresolved questions regarding customs taxes remain a pressing concern.
In France, La Poste has voiced its frustration, stating that no adequate time has been provided for European postal operators to adapt to these changes. They highlighted that the specifications and technical details from the US are still “incomplete.”
Spain's Correos has announced a temporary suspension as a preventive measure to “protect the interests of customers,” aiming to avoid potential delays or complications in the delivery process. Starting Saturday, Deutsche Post and DHL Parcel Germany confirmed that they would no longer accept or transport parcels and postal items from business customers destined for the US.
Similarly, Postnord, the Nordic logistics company, along with Italy's postal service, has also initiated suspensions of their services. In the Netherlands, spokesperson Wout Witteveen from PostNL mentioned that the Trump administration is continuing with the new duties, even as US authorities have not established a system to collect them. PostNL is actively collaborating with its US counterparts to seek a viable solution.
Austrian Post, the leading logistics and postal service provider in Austria, announced that the last acceptance of commercial shipments to the US, including Puerto Rico, will occur on Tuesday. This regulatory change is expected to significantly impact transatlantic e-commerce, particularly affecting small and medium-sized enterprises that export low-value products to the United States.
With the elimination of tax exemptions, all commercial packages will now be subject to corresponding tariffs based on their origin and value, effective from August 29. This announcement follows a newly agreed trade deal between the US and the European Union, which aimed to resolve months of trade tensions.
