Hong Kong: In response to what it calls ‘unreasonable and bullying’ tariff measures by Washington, Hong Kong Post has suspended its sea mail services for goods bound for the United States and announced plans to halt air mail containing goods starting April 27, 2025.
In an official statement, Hong Kong Post warned senders to prepare for ‘exorbitant and unreasonable fees’ when mailing goods to the US and firmly stated that it ‘definitely’ will not collect any such tariffs on behalf of the United States.
The suspension affects only parcels containing goods, while regular postal items such as documents, remain unaffected.
The postal authority said the move is linked to the US government’s decision to eliminate the ‘de minimis‘ exemption and raise tariffs on incoming mail items from Hong Kong that contain goods, effective from May 2.
Hong Kong, officially a special administrative region of China, has been subjected to the same trade tariffs as mainland China, according to a US government directive.
This follows Washington’s 2020 move to revoke Hong Kong’s special trade status under US law in response to Beijing’s imposition of a wide-ranging national security law in the city.
Once hailed as a free and open global trading hub, Hong Kong’s role has been increasingly challenged amid rising tensions between China and the United States, particularly in the ongoing trade dispute.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive has announced plans to file a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the United States over the newly imposed tariffs, calling them discriminatory and unjust.
Meanwhile, China confirmed it has already lodged its own complaint with the WTO, arguing that Washington’s tariff measures breach international trade rules.
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