Australia and Japan have become the latest countries to suspend some parcel shipments to the United States after Washington ended its de minimis exemption that allowed packages valued under $800 to enter duty-free. The rule change, set to take effect Friday, has disrupted global postal services already struggling with rising tariffs and complex customs procedures.
On Tuesday, Australia Post announced a temporary suspension of certain US-bound shipments, citing the “complex and rapidly evolving situation.” Packages to the US and Puerto Rico lodged after Tuesday will not be accepted until further notice, although letters, documents, and gifts valued below $100 remain unaffected. Japan Post made a similar statement a day earlier, saying unclear procedures and data requirements were making compliance with the new system “difficult to implement.”
The move follows similar announcements from several European countries, including Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, and Austria. Britain’s Royal Mail said it halted shipments beginning Tuesday to avoid parcels being caught in transition before new duties are enforced. Logistics giant DHL warned that key questions remain unanswered, including who will collect the new tariffs and how customs data will be transmitted to US authorities.
Australian broadcaster ABC reported that some exporters have already suspended shipments, while shipping software firm Shippit recorded a 36 percent drop in volumes to the US since April. Businesses fear additional costs and delays will make low-value exports unviable.
The disruption stems from US President Donald Trump’s wider tariff agenda. Since returning to office in January, Trump has introduced a series of rolling tariffs targeting imports by origin and product type, causing uncertainty across trade channels. The de minimis exemption had already been ended for China and Hong Kong in May, closing a loophole exploited by fast-fashion giants like Shein and Temu.
Under the new system, goods sent through the postal network will face either an ad valorem duty equal to the tariff rate of their country of origin or a temporary flat tariff of $80 to $200, depending on origin rates. The recent US tax and spending bill also repeals the legal basis for duty-free treatment worldwide starting July 1, 2027, signaling more upheaval for global e-commerce and cross-border trade in the years ahead.
