The United States Postal Service (USPS) temporarily suspended package shipments from China and Hong Kong after new trade tariffs between the U.S. and China took effect.
- As part of its tariff package on China, Washington also eliminated the trade exemption known as “de minimis,” which allowed exporters to ship packages worth up to $800 to the U.S. duty-free.
- The rise of low-value imports and their impact on the U.S. economy
- The USPS’s temporary suspension caused shipment delays and could have led to higher prices for U.S. consumers in the long term.
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) later announced it would resume accepting packages from China and Hong Kong, less than 24 hours after suspending the service amid escalating tariffs between the two countries.
This measure took effect on Tuesday and coincided with the implementation of increased tariffs on Chinese imports ordered by President Donald Trump.
On Tuesday, the 10% tariffs on all Chinese imports approved by U.S. President Donald Trump went into effect, to which Beijing responded with its own tariffs ranging from 10% to 15% on certain U.S. products.
As part of its tariff package on China, Washington also eliminated the trade exemption known as “de minimis,” which allowed exporters to ship packages worth up to $800 to the U.S. duty-free.
This measure fueled the rapid growth of Chinese e-commerce retailers such as Shein, Temu, and AliExpress.
The suspension of package acceptance announced on Tuesday and later reversed would have caused significant delivery delays for shipments from these Chinese retailers and some from Amazon.
In 2024, the U.S. processed over 1.3 billion “de minimis” shipments, according to official CBP data, a staggering increase from the 139 million processed just a decade earlier, in 2015.
The USPS shipment suspension primarily affected Chinese e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu, as well as Amazon, which are popular among U.S. shoppers for their affordable products.
These companies rely heavily on direct and economical postal services to keep costs low, as well as the “de minimis” exemption, which allowed them to ship packages tax-free if their value was under $800.
The rise of low-value imports and their impact on the U.S. economy
The use of the “de minimis” exemption has experienced exponential growth in recent years. Data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reveals that in fiscal year 2015, approximately 139 million shipments were recorded under this category. By 2023, the number had increased by over 600%, reaching 1.36 billion shipments. This growth has been driven by the rise of e-commerce platforms that have made it easier for consumers to access competitively priced Chinese products.
The USPS’s temporary suspension caused shipment delays and could have led to higher prices for U.S. consumers in the long term.
However, USPS later announced it would resume accepting packages from China and Hong Kong after establishing an efficient collection mechanism for the new Chinese tariffs.
It is important to note that this situation is part of ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China, which have led to the implementation of tariffs and other restrictive measures by both sides. These actions aim to protect domestic industries and reduce the trade deficit but may also have negative effects on international trade and consumers.
Online shoppers purchasing from Chinese sellers are advised to stay informed about the latest news and regulations regarding U.S.-China trade, as the situation can change rapidly.
Image: Infobae
