25 Countries Suspend Postal Deliveries to U.S. Amid Trump’s Tariff Shake-Up

Jamaica Live News Desk– | Aug 26, 2025

Kingston, Jamaica | August 26, 2025 – At least 25 countries have suspended postal deliveries to the United States as President Donald Trump’s new tariff measures send shockwaves across the global shipping industry.

The Trump administration announced it would abolish a long-standing tax exemption on small packages entering the U.S., effective August 29. Under the new rules, postal services must collect customs duties upfront on behalf of U.S. Customs and Border Protection before shipping goods into America.

Global Fallout

The United Nations’ Universal Postal Union (UPU) confirmed that postal operators from 25 member states have halted shipments, citing uncertainty over how the new system will be implemented. Among those affected are postal services in France, Britain, Germany, Italy, India, Australia, and Japan—countries with large e-commerce markets heavily dependent on U.S. buyers.

The UPU, which represents 192 member states, warned the measures will require “considerable operational changes” and could cause severe delays in the flow of goods.

Tariffs and Restrictions

Under Trump’s order, individual customers will still be able to send packages worth up to US$100 as gifts without being taxed. However, anything above that threshold will attract the same tariff rates imposed on regular imports:

• 15% tariff for goods coming from the European Union
• 50% tariff on goods from India

Germany’s postal service DHL has already warned that even duty-free packages may be subject to extra checks to prevent businesses from disguising commercial goods as gifts.

Industry Confusion

India’s Communications Ministry has raised alarms, saying the U.S. has not yet clarified key processes—such as which “qualified parties” will be approved to collect and remit duties. This lack of detail has left many countries unwilling to risk shipments that could be rejected or delayed at U.S. ports.

UPU chief Masahiko Metoki has written to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, warning of “operational disruptions” and urging Washington to provide clarity.

Impact on E-Commerce

The sudden changes could hit small businesses, online retailers, and consumers hardest. For millions of people worldwide, low-cost package shipping has been the lifeblood of cross-border e-commerce. Now, with many postal operators halting shipments, international sellers face uncertainty about whether they can continue supplying American buyers.

For Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, where small businesses often rely on overseas buyers, this development could have serious economic implications. Local entrepreneurs who export crafts, clothing, and specialty foods may now face higher costs and shipping delays, making it harder to compete in the U.S. market.

UPU’s Next Steps

The UPU says it is working with “relevant postal stakeholders” to create a sustainable system for global duty collection and remittance. However, until clear guidelines are in place, the suspension of services is likely to continue.

With the rules just days away from taking effect, uncertainty looms for global trade. What is clear is that Trump’s tariff overhaul is reshaping the way the world ships to America—and the ripple effects are already being felt from Berlin to Bangalore to Kingston.