Multiple postal operators across Europe are suspending most package shipments to the United States, citing uncertainty, confusion and rising costs linked to forthcoming U.S. customs regulations on low-value imports.

DHL Group, Germany’s largest postal and logistics company, announced Friday it will temporarily stop accepting commercial goods and certain private parcels to the United States through postal channels.

The decision follows an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump last month, which sets to abolish the longstanding “de minimis” rule that allowed duty-free imports of low-value goods worth up to 800 U.S. dollars.

Under the new framework, effective Aug. 29, all imported items will be subject to customs clearance and tariffs. DHL noted, however, that the measure will not affect gifts under 100 dollars exchanged between individuals, if clearly marked as such, nor the mailing of letters and documents, though these may face stricter controls. Shipments sent via DHL Express will remain available but must undergo standard tariff-based clearance.DHL also said the suspension was unavoidable, as key details of the new customs procedures remain unclear. Without guarantees of smooth clearance, the company cannot process shipments reliably.

The uncertainty has rippled across Europe. By Saturday, postal operators in more than a dozen countries, including France, Britain, Italy, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, had announced either suspensions or severe restrictions on parcels bound for the United States.

France’s La Poste said it would halt parcel services for goods starting Aug. 25, except for express shipping, documents, and small gifts. Other operators, including Royal Mail, Poste Italiane and Post of Slovenia, set earlier cut-off dates to ensure parcels clear U.S. borders before the new rules take effect.

PostEurop, the association of European postal operators, warned that unless workable solutions are found quickly, members may be “constrained to temporarily restrict or suspend” shipments to the United States.

A common theme in operators’ statements was frustration at the lack of clarity and preparation time. La Poste said U.S. Customs had offered “no time…to re-organize and update computer systems” to handle the changes.

The United States has not yet clarified key procedures, particularly regarding the collection of customs fees, required data submissions, and cooperation with U.S. customs authorities, Czech Post said.

Source: Business Today

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