Postal operators of Ukraine have increased the cost of delivering parcels to the US due to Trump’s tariffs
Ukraine’s largest postal operators – Ukrposhta and Nova poshta – have raised tariffs for delivering parcels to the US due to new tariffs introduced by Donald Trump. This was reported by the head of the board of Ukrposhta Ihor Smilyanskyi.
According to the decree, which comes into force on August 29, 2025, the preferential duty-free threshold of $800 (so-called “de minimis”) is abolished in the US. From now on, almost all commercial shipments to the US will be subject to customs duty, except for documents and gifts worth up to $100.
Under the new rules, all international shipments to the US will be subject to customs duties and taxes regardless of value. For goods of Ukrainian origin, the duty rate is set at 10%. Due to difficulties with the new procedures, most European postal operators have suspended delivery or left only the possibility of sending documents and small gifts.
Ukrainian companies will continue delivery, but with certain changes. Ukrposhta has engaged qualified agents to process customs payments. To cover the cost of their services, US shipping will increase by an average of $1.5-$3 depending on the category and weight of the shipment.
“This is where the negative news ends and positive news begins”, said the chairman of the board of Ukrposhta Ihor Smilyanskyi.
According to him, Ukraine will gain a competitive advantage, because most European companies are temporarily unable to send goods by mail, and the Ukrainian customs duty is the lowest in Europe (for the EU, the rate is 15%, for Moldova – 25%, for Switzerland – 39%). At the same time, Ukrposhta does not introduce additional brokerage fees.
“The reached agreement gives competitive advantages to Ukrainian entrepreneurs. But it will work only if everyone follows the rules. Therefore, please do not play the “lottery” and not to indicate in their commercial shipments that these are “gifts”, because now the control in the USA will be strengthened. Ukrposhta will strengthen control at border offices to avoid accusations of re-exporting goods from countries with a higher customs rate, Smilyanskyy added.
From August 26, New Post introduced new conditions: if the sender pays the customs duty, 10% of the parcel value is added to the delivery cost; if the recipient pays – 10% of the value plus $25 for customs brokerage services. At the same time, due to different customs rates for different countries, senders must correctly indicate the country of origin of the goods.
