Multiple European nations will suspend postal services to the US following US President Donald Trump’s decision last month to eliminate a tax exemption for low-value imports under $800 (€682). The White House stated that the move aims to curb illegal and abusive practices, such as the importation of illicit drugs into the United States.
Letters and small parcels valued under $100 (€85) will remain unaffected. Postal services in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Italy announced immediate halts to most merchandise shipments to the US. France and Austria will follow on Monday, with the United Kingdom doing so on Tuesday. Portugal has yet to announce any measures.
The UK’s Royal Mail expressed hope to implement a new system within days to comply with the new regulations. Deutsche Post and DHL Parcel Germany noted that “key questions remain unresolved” regarding customs duties. In France, La Poste highlighted that European postal operators were given no time to prepare, stating that the US has provided “incomplete” specifications and technical details.
Spain’s Correos explained the temporary suspension as a precautionary step to “protect customers’ interests,” aiming to avoid potential delays or delivery issues. Starting Saturday, Deutsche Post and DHL Parcel Germany stated they “will no longer accept or transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers destined for the US.”
Postnord, the Nordic logistics provider, and Italy’s postal service announced similar suspensions. In the Netherlands, PostNL spokesperson Wout Witteveen noted that the Trump administration is moving forward with the new duties despite the US lacking a system to collect them. He added that PostNL is collaborating with US counterparts to find a solution.
Austrian Post, Austria’s primary postal and logistics provider, confirmed that Tuesday will be the final day for accepting commercial shipments to the US, including Puerto Rico. This regulatory shift will significantly impact transatlantic e-commerce, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses exporting low-value goods to the United States.
The removal of tax exemptions means all commercial packages will face tariffs based on their origin and value starting August 29. Trump’s decision follows a new trade agreement between the US and the European Union, resolving months of trade tensions.
