Following the adoption of new regulations under President Donald Trump's administration that would terminate tariff exemptions, Japan, Australia, and Taiwan have joined an increasing number of countries that have suspended some package exports to the United States.
Beginning Friday, the "de minimis" exemption—which let shipments of items valued at $800 or less to enter the US duty-free—will be removed.
The Trump administration's move has caused worldwide disruptions to postal networks and e-commerce supply chains, despite its stated goal of somewhat slowing the flow of low-cost imports to support domestic industry.
Citing logistical difficulties and uncertainties surrounding US tariff intentions, nations such as South Korea, Thailand, India, and New Zealand have already announced service suspensions until further notice.
Low-value packages delivered by both people and small businesses are now being impacted by the temporary suspension of postal services to the US by more postal operators around the Asia Pacific region.
In a statement released on Monday, Japan Post said it will temporarily stop sending small parcels worth more than $100 to the US on Wednesday.
In an update released Tuesday, Australia Post stated that it will "temporarily partially suspend postal services to the United States and Puerto Rico, effective 26 August 2025 until further notice."
It further stated, "This response is consistent with actions taken by many postal operators around the world."
According to Australian public broadcaster ABC, postage uncertainty has also caused havoc for domestic e-commerce companies.
"The volatility in decision making, the volatility of the market, and, quite frankly, the inability of even Australia Post to be able to address these issues in a timely manner, puts us, and all of Australian fashion, in a really precarious position," Laz Smith, co-founder of the maternity wear brand Apéro, said in an interview with ABC.
According to a statement released on Monday, Taiwan's postal office has likewise halted deliveries of small packages headed for the US, effective Tuesday.
Because "the global postal system has not yet provided a service allowing senders to prepay customs duty, and Chunghwa Post's contracted carriers have also announced suspension of merchandise mail deliveries," the company says it has ceased package delivery.
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