The US Postal Service has suspended the acceptance of incoming international parcels from China and Hong Kong, impacting e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu. This decision was announced on February 5, 2025, without a specified reason but follows recent changes in US trade policy.
- USPS suspends international parcels from China, Hong Kong
- E-commerce giants Shein and Temu affected
- Trump ends de minimis exemption rule
- China retaliates with tariffs and export controls
- US Customs can inspect all international packages
This suspension is significant as it targets shipments that have become integral to many e-commerce businesses. The de minimis exemption allowed packages valued under $800 to enter the US duty-free, facilitating a high volume of low-cost imports. With nearly half of these packages originating from China, the impact will likely be profound on retailers relying on this system.
Key details regarding this situation include:
- The USPS announcement came shortly after President Trump signed an executive order terminating the de minimis rule.
- A 10% tariff on Chinese imports took effect simultaneously with this announcement.
- China’s retaliatory measures included tariffs on various American goods and new export controls targeting certain technologies.
Experts suggest that if every package must now undergo inspection due to this change, it could significantly slow down international deliveries into the US. Currently, while Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can inspect all international packages, they do not open every item routinely. This shift may lead to longer wait times for consumers expecting deliveries from their favorite online retailers.
This development marks a critical juncture in US-China trade relations and poses challenges for e-commerce businesses heavily dependent on fast shipping from Asia. As regulations evolve, companies like Shein and Temu may need to adapt their logistics strategies to mitigate disruptions caused by these new policies.
