The U.S. Postal Service late Tuesday temporarily suspended acceptance of inbound parcels from China and Hong Kong, according to a service bulletin on the agency’s website. No explanation for the cutoff was given, and a spokesperson declined to provide details.
National postal services China Post and Hong Kong Post collect mail and ship it to the United States by air carrier under procedures outlined in international agreements.
The suspension does not apply to letters and flat document pouches.
The Trump administration this week imposed a 10% tariff on all goods from China and banned all low-value, e-commerce parcels from receiving duty-free benefits under the de minimis entry program. The administration said the emergency order is part of its strategy to stop the illegal shipment of fentanyl and precursor chemicals into the United States.
The move against low-value shipments will force business-to-consumer online orders to go through regular customs clearance and pay duties of 10% to 35%. Trade analysts say the extra costs could be passed on to consumers.
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