European Postal Services Halt U.S. Shipments Amid Duty Changes
URGENT UPDATE: Multiple European postal services have just announced a suspension of package shipments to the United States amid confusion over new import duties. Effective immediately, postal services in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Italy will halt shipments of most merchandise, with France and Austria following suit on August 28, and the United Kingdom on August 29.
This significant move stems from a decree signed by former President Donald Trump last month, which imposes new tariffs on international goods valued under $800 starting August 29. While letters, books, gifts, and small parcels worth less than $100 will remain exempt, many European postal operators are pausing deliveries due to uncertainty about compliance and processing times.
Germany’s Deutsche Post and DHL Parcel have confirmed they “will no longer be able to accept and transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers destined for the U.S.” Other major postal services, including PostNord from the Nordic region and Poste Italiane, echoed this suspension.
Björn Bergman, head of PostNord’s Group Brand and Communication, stated that the pause is “unfortunate but necessary to ensure full compliance with the newly implemented rules.” In the Netherlands, PostNL’s spokesperson Wout Witteveen advised, “If you have something to send to America, you should do it today,” highlighting the urgency for senders.
As the clock ticks down to the new tariff implementation, Austria’s leading logistics provider, Austrian Post, announced that the last acceptance of commercial shipments to the U.S., including Puerto Rico, will occur on August 29. Meanwhile, France’s national postal service, La Poste, criticized U.S. authorities for not providing adequate time or detail for compliance with the new customs procedures.
The UK’s Royal Mail plans to cease U.S. shipments on August 29 to ensure packages arrive before the duties take effect. Notably, items originating from the U.K. will incur a 10% duty for parcels valued over $100.
PostEurop, representing 51 European public postal operators, warned that if no resolution is found by August 29, all members may be forced to follow this suspension. The ongoing logistical challenges mean that individuals and businesses looking to ship items to the U.S. face significant hurdles and must act quickly.
As this situation develops, it is crucial for anyone sending packages to the U.S. to stay informed and take action before the new tariffs come into play.
