More than 30 countries suspend postal service to US

The Universal Postal Union, the UN agency in charge of promoting cooperation in global postal services, has warned of considerable operational changes in postal services around the world as a result of an alteration in US tariff policy. 25 member countries have used the Universal Postal Union’s emergency communication system to alert of a suspension in services, said the agency. They join a range of other countries, including India, Germany and Australia, which have publicly announced restrictions on US deliveries due to the new ‘de minimis’ requirements. Without the de minimis exception, costs are expected to rise significantly, especially hitting small businesses with a large US customer base and American consumers relying on low-cost everyday goods from online retailers. 1.4 billion packages a year were subject to the de minimis exemption until now, around 30% from online shopping giants Shein and Temu alone, as per a report.