A global wave of pushback is building as the U.S. faces mounting criticism over its newly imposed trade duties. Countries across Europe, Asia, and South America are responding with retaliatory measures and diplomatic warnings, with international mail and goods distribution already showing signs of disruption. The rising tension signals a deepening fracture in global trade cooperation under the latest U.S. tariff policy shift.

Global mail distribution hits U.S. Trade | International pushback on new duties

After India announced on August 23 that it would temporarily suspend all types of postal articles to the United States amid President Donald Trump's 50 per cent tariffs, several nations paused or suspended parcel shipments to the US. The development unfolded after the decision of the US government to eliminate the 'de minimis' exemption, effective from August 29, 2025, according to a report by Associated Press.&nbsp;As per the Washington Post, this exemption previously allowed international packages valued under $800 to enter the US without duties. However, after the change of the rule, all low-value imports will now face standard tariffs or fixed fees, sparking confusion and operational challenges among global carriers. Postal operators across Europe, Asia, and Australia, covering over 20 countries, have suspended deliveries as they await clarity and adapt to new regulatory demands.<h3>Full list of countries halting postal services to the US</h3>Europe: Germany (DHL/Deutsche Post), France (La Poste), UK (Royal Mail), Italy (Poste Italiane), Spain (Correos), Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Netherlands, and other PostEurop members.&nbsp;Asia-Pacific: India (India Post), Singapore (SingPost), Thailand, South Korea, Japan (Japan Post), New Zealand, and Australia (Australia Post).<h3>Why are countries suspending postal deliveries to the US?</h3>Several countries have suspended postal deliveries to the US after Washington scrapped the long-standing 'de minimis' exemption, which will be effective from 29 Aug 2025. Earlier, parcels costing below $800 could enter duty-free, but now all imports, regardless of value it will face tariffs and customs data rules.&nbsp;In response, over 20 countries from Asia, Europe and Australia have temporarily paused shipments. However, this move could disrupt global e-commerce, raising costs for sellers and buyers. These suspensions could impose widespread uncertainty in handling duty collection, regulatory compliance, and data transmission requirements for the US Customs and Border Protection.

Multiple nations paused or suspended parcel shipments to the US after the decision of the US government to eliminate the 'de minimis' exemption, effective from August 29, 2025.

After India announced on August 23 that it would temporarily suspend all types of postal articles to the United States amid President Donald Trump's 50 per cent tariffs, several nations paused or suspended parcel shipments to the US. The development unfolded after the decision of the US government to eliminate the 'de minimis' exemption, effective from August 29, 2025, according to a report by Associated Press. As per the Washington Post, this exemption previously allowed international packages valued under $800 to enter the US without duties. However, after the change of the rule, all low-value imports will now face standard tariffs or fixed fees, sparking confusion and operational challenges among global carriers. Postal operators across Europe, Asia, and Australia, covering over 20 countries, have suspended deliveries as they await clarity and adapt to new regulatory demands. Full list of countries halting postal services to the US Europe: Germany (DHL/Deutsche Post), France (La Poste), UK (Royal Mail), Italy (Poste Italiane), Spain (Correos), Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Netherlands, and other PostEurop members. Asia-Pacific: India (India Post), Singapore (SingPost), Thailand, South Korea, Japan (Japan Post), New Zealand, and Australia (Australia Post). Why are countries suspending postal deliveries to the US? Several countries have suspended postal deliveries to the US after Washington scrapped the long-standing 'de minimis' exemption, which will be effective from 29 Aug 2025. Earlier, parcels costing below $800 could enter duty-free, but now all imports, regardless of value it will face tariffs and customs data rules. In response, over 20 countries from Asia, Europe and Australia have temporarily paused shipments. However, this move could disrupt global e-commerce, raising costs for sellers and buyers. These suspensions could impose widespread uncertainty in handling duty collection, regulatory compliance, and data transmission requirements for the US Customs and Border Protection.

Multiple nations paused or suspended parcel shipments to the US after the decision of the US government to eliminate the 'de minimis' exemption, effective from August 29, 2025.

20+ countries suspend parcel deliveries to US as new tariff rules take effect from Aug 29 —Here's the full list

Several countries across the world have announced to suspend certain deliveries to the United States, ahead of an end to a long-standing tariff exemption for packages worth $800 or less. Some of the countries to have already taken the measure are Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, France, Belgium, Austria, the United Kingdom, India and Scandinavia.&nbsp;The move to suspend postal services comes after the Trump administration issued an executive order on 30th July, 2025 under which the duty-free de minimis exemption for goods valued up to USD 800 were withdrawn. However, &nbsp;letters or personal gifts that are valued les than $100 won’t be affected, according to postal operators.&nbsp;Trump argues that the decision has been taken as part of a fight against illegal drugs. However, several postal companies across the world say that the new rules approved by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on 15th August, 2025, remain unclear.&nbsp;Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-adds-more-power-to-its-defence-capabilities-drdo-successfully-test-fires-integrated-air-defence-weapon-system-1756011562454"> India adds more power to its defence capabilities, DRDO successfully test fires Integrated Air Defence Weapon System</a>&nbsp;US-bound air carriers expressing their inability to accept postal consignments after 25th August, 2025, say several processes relating to the designation of “qualified parties” and mechanisms for duty collection and remittance are still not properly defined by CBP leading to them taking this decision.&nbsp;PostEurop, an association of 53 European postal operators in a statement said, “Critical issues and processes, such as customs duties collection, the data to be collected, and the interaction with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, are not yet clearly defined."&nbsp;Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-trucker-harjinder-singh-s-family-calls-florida-crash-mistake-not-crime-over-1mn-sign-petition-for-his-release-what-we-know-1756008835251"> 'Mistake, not crime': Indian trucker Harjinder Singh stays in US jail amid 1M signatures demanding release - What is the case against him</a>&nbsp;The change will affect international e-commerce, as it will end the fast and affordable way for businesses to ship low-value parcels to their consumers in the US. Consequently, the shipments will be subject to applicable duties, which could increase costs.&nbsp;What is the de minimis exemption&nbsp;The de minimis tax exemption is a law allowing shipments bound for American businesses and consumers valued under $800 (per person, per day) to enter the US free of duty and taxes. The exemption allowed goods to be shipped quickly and affordably and hence benefited Americans as it kept inflation down.&nbsp;

US-bound air carriers expressing their inability to accept postal consignments after 25th August, 2025, say several processes relating to the new rule are still not properly defined.

Several countries across the world have announced to suspend certain deliveries to the United States, ahead of an end to a long-standing tariff exemption for packages worth $800 or less. Some of the countries to have already taken the measure are Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, France, Belgium, Austria, the United Kingdom, India and Scandinavia. The move to suspend postal services comes after the Trump administration issued an executive order on 30th July, 2025 under which the duty-free de minimis exemption for goods valued up to USD 800 were withdrawn. However, letters or personal gifts that are valued les than $100 won’t be affected, according to postal operators. Trump argues that the decision has been taken as part of a fight against illegal drugs. However, several postal companies across the world say that the new rules approved by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on 15th August, 2025, remain unclear. Also Read: India adds more power to its defence capabilities, DRDO successfully test fires Integrated Air Defence Weapon System US-bound air carriers expressing their inability to accept postal consignments after 25th August, 2025, say several processes relating to the designation of “qualified parties” and mechanisms for duty collection and remittance are still not properly defined by CBP leading to them taking this decision. PostEurop, an association of 53 European postal operators in a statement said, “Critical issues and processes, such as customs duties collection, the data to be collected, and the interaction with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, are not yet clearly defined." Also Read: 'Mistake, not crime': Indian trucker Harjinder Singh stays in US jail amid 1M signatures demanding release - What is the case against him The change will affect international e-commerce, as it will end the fast and affordable way for businesses to ship low-value parcels to their consumers in the US. Consequently, the shipments will be subject to applicable duties, which could increase costs. What is the de minimis exemption The de minimis tax exemption is a law allowing shipments bound for American businesses and consumers valued under $800 (per person, per day) to enter the US free of duty and taxes. The exemption allowed goods to be shipped quickly and affordably and hence benefited Americans as it kept inflation down.

US-bound air carriers expressing their inability to accept postal consignments after 25th August, 2025, say several processes relating to the new rule are still not properly defined.

Why are some countries suspending postal services to US? WION explains

Belgium's post office has reached a 'historical' workload as a shift to online purchases accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic has left it brimming with packages.

Belgian postal service faces 'historic' workload as COVID-19 pushes Christmas shoppers online

While postal services between India and Pakistan have not been resumed yet, the Indian Department of Posts has raised the matter with the United Nations' Post Union.&nbsp;

Switzerland-based Universal Post Union is the United Nations' specialised body which coordinates postal policies and global postal systems.&nbsp;

The 145-year old body is one of the oldest bodies of the UN.

While Pakistani media reported that services are to be resumed, Thursday saw none present from the Pakistani side at the Wagha border.&nbsp;

The chief postmaster general of Punjab Circle was informed by Pakistan last evening of having received instructions from their authorities wherein it was communicated that normal exchanges will be initiated from Thursday.

Nonetheless, India's postal department will be sending personnel on a daily basis if Pakistan plans to send their representative with the posts.

It is for the first time in 70 years when postal services between India and Pakistan have been stopped.

Pakistan had unilaterally stopped postal services with India in the backdrop of the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and kashmir in August this year.

While postal services between India and Pakistan have not been resumed yet, the Indian Department of Posts has raised the matter with the United Nations' Post Union.

While postal services between India and Pakistan have not been resumed yet, the Indian Department of Posts has raised the matter with the United Nations' Post Union. Switzerland-based Universal Post Union is the United Nations' specialised body which coordinates postal policies and global postal systems. The 145-year old body is one of the oldest bodies of the UN. While Pakistani media reported that services are to be resumed, Thursday saw none present from the Pakistani side at the Wagha border. The chief postmaster general of Punjab Circle was informed by Pakistan last evening of having received instructions from their authorities wherein it was communicated that normal exchanges will be initiated from Thursday. Nonetheless, India's postal department will be sending personnel on a daily basis if Pakistan plans to send their representative with the posts. It is for the first time in 70 years when postal services between India and Pakistan have been stopped. Pakistan had unilaterally stopped postal services with India in the backdrop of the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and kashmir in August this year.

Non-resumption of India-Pakistan postal services: New Delhi raises matter with UN postal body

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Global mail distribution hits U.S. Trade | International pushback on new duties

20+ nations suspend parcel deliveries to US as new tariff rules start Aug 29

Why are some countries suspending postal services to US? WION explains

Belgian postal service faces 'historic' workload as COVID-19 pushes Christmas shoppers online

Non-resumption of India-Pakistan postal services: New Delhi raises matter with UN postal body