Major postal operators across Europe have temporarily halted deliveries to the United States, citing growing confusion and uncertainty over new import tariffs and customs regulations affecting international mail.
The unprecedented move, confirmed by postal authorities in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Austria, comes amid conflicting guidance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regarding the application of recently adjusted de minimis thresholds and duty enforcement policies. The de minimis value — the threshold below which goods can enter a country without incurring duties — was recently lowered in the U.S. for certain shipments from foreign postal services, leading to administrative bottlenecks and increased processing costs.
Deutsche Post DHL Group announced the suspension early Thursday, stating that "ongoing regulatory ambiguity has made it impossible to ensure timely and compliant delivery of mail and parcels to U.S. recipients." La Poste in France and PostNL in the Netherlands quickly followed, warning customers of significant delays and advising against sending non-essential items to the U.S. until further notice.
"The lack of clear, consistent communication from U.S. authorities has created operational chaos," said a spokesperson for the European Union, which represents national postal services across the continent. "We cannot risk parcels being held at borders, returned, or subject to unexpected fees due to unclear rules."
The disruption affects millions of cross-border shipments annually, including e-commerce packages, personal letters, and essential documents. Small businesses relying on transatlantic trade are particularly concerned, with many reporting canceled orders and frustrated customers.
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai acknowledged the issue in a brief statement, saying, "We are aware of the challenges facing international postal operators and are working closely with CBP and European counterparts to clarify procedures and restore seamless delivery operations."
Meanwhile, affected postal services are urging customers to monitor official updates and consider alternative shipping methods through private couriers, though these options often come with significantly higher costs.
No timeline has been provided for the resumption of regular service, as officials on both sides of the Atlantic continue negotiations to resolve the regulatory impasse.
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