25 countries have suspended the shipment of goods to the US due to the new customs policy of the Donald Trump administration. This was reported by the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
The reason was the cancellation of the rule that allowed duty-free import of small parcels worth up to $800 and required minimal paperwork. New requirements will come into effect on August 29: mandatory collection of customs duties on all shipments, except for documents and gifts up to $100.
The agency emphasized that the tight deadlines for the implementation of the new rules create serious difficulties for international postal operators, especially in the field of e-commerce.
Director General of the Universal Postal Union, Masahiko Metoki, sent a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in which he conveyed the concerns of member countries regarding possible disruptions in international mail flows. Although the organization did not name all the countries that have already stopped shipments, Australia, Norway and Switzerland have publicly announced their decisions.
“As the premier forum for postal cooperation, the Air Force remains committed to fostering dialogue between its member nations and their postal operators and developing practical solutions for them to ensure the uninterrupted flow of mail. Maintaining the trust of the billions of people served by the postal network is our top priority,” Masahiko Metoki said.
The Universal Postal Union, headquartered in Switzerland, coordinates cooperation between the postal services of 192 member countries. It was founded in 1874 and performs advisory, mediation and communication functions, as well as providing technical support. The organization establishes rules for international postal exchange, develops recommendations for the development of postal, parcel and financial services and works to improve the quality of customer service.
