Washington: Australia and Japan have joined a widening list of countries halting some parcel shipments to the United States after the Trump administration scrapped a long-standing exemption that allowed low-value packages to enter duty-free.
The exemption, known as the ‘de minimis’ rule, permitted parcels valued under $800 to enter the US without customs duties. With the rule set to end, postal operators worldwide are scrambling to adjust.
Australia Post announced that it was implementing a ‘temporary partial suspension’ of shipments to the US and Puerto Rico. The postal service said parcels lodged would not be accepted until further notice, though gifts valued under $100, letters and documents would remain unaffected.
In a statement, Australia Post expressed disappointment but called the move necessary due to the complex and rapidly evolving situation. The service added that it is working with US and Australian authorities, along with international partners, to restore shipments as soon as possible.
Japan Post also confirmed a similar suspension, citing unclear procedures and difficulties in implementing the new requirements.
Australia and Japan’s decisions come after several European countries, including Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, France, Austria and the UK, announced similar measures. The UK’s Royal Mail said it would halt shipments to ensure parcels arrive before new duties take effect.
Logistics giant DHL, Europe’s largest shipping provider, warned that key questions remain unresolved regarding customs duty collection, additional data requirements and data transmission to US Customs and Border Protection.
Since returning to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has rolled out a series of tariffs targeting imports from multiple countries. The ending of the de minimis exemption adds another layer of complexity for global postal operators.
The exemption for China and Hong Kong was already removed in May, closing a loophole heavily used by fast-fashion giants such as Shein and Temu. A tax and spending bill recently signed into law will permanently repeal the global de minimis exemption starting July 1, 2027.
Under the new system, goods shipped via postal services will face one of two tariffs, either an ad valorem duty matching the effective tariff rate of the country of origin, or, for the next six months, a flat tariff of $80 to $200, depending on the origin country’s rate.
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