U.S. Postal Service Suspends International Package Acceptance from Mainland China and HKSAR

On Tuesday, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced a temporary suspension of international package acceptance for inbound parcels coming from both the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). However, the postal service clarified that letters and flat mail would continue to be accepted as normal.

This decision has been described by The Washington Post as "abrupt," with suggestions that it may be connected to recent tariff increases imposed by the Trump administration on Chinese imports. The USPS has not provided an immediate comment on whether this suspension is linked to U.S. President Donald Trump's recent executive order aimed at ending the "de minimis" shipment threshold for imports from China and other countries.

Recently, President Trump signed an executive order that imposes a 10% tariff on certain Chinese goods. This action has received significant criticism domestically and internationally. As part of this executive order, he also revoked a longstanding tax loophole that allowed companies to avoid paying significant fees on imports, particularly those coming from China. The Washington Post reported that this change could impact small businesses and large e-commerce platforms alike.

Under current policies, packages valued at under $800 from China to the U.S. were not inspected or taxed. According to Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, the rise in online shopping has led to many parcels entering the U.S. through e-commerce channels. Wu suggested that this loophole has cost the U.S. government substantial tax revenue.

Wu also pointed out that American consumers will ultimately suffer due to this suspension. Many affordable and high-quality goods from China, often purchased online, help meet daily needs. The sudden disruption of this supply chain could negatively affect consumers across the country.

Moreover, this new rule is expected to have implications for U.S. e-commerce platforms, particularly those like Shein and Temu, which rely on low-cost imports to sustain their business models. Over the years, the relaxed restrictions and tax exemptions have allowed a significant number of packages to enter the U.S. at lower prices, benefiting consumers looking for discounts on various products like clothing and household items.

Postal, Tariff, Imports