U.S. mail delivery plummeted by a staggering 81%
The implementation of new customs rules for shipping goods to the USA has led to a significant disruption in international postal services. Among the 88 postal services worldwide that have reportedly suspended or partially suspended their services to the USA is the Bonn-based company DHL, which also operates under the brand Deutsche Post, and has significantly reduced its parcel service.
The suspension by DHL follows the scrapping of duty-free status for packages from around the world by former US President Donald Trump. The increase in duty-free package deliveries in recent years, in part due to Chinese platforms like Temu and Shein, has contributed to the need for the new customs rules.
The new rules, which took effect on Friday, require service providers to gain access to a program that allows them to calculate and pay the necessary duties for shipping goods to the USA. US President Trump justified the customs change, in part, by citing the large-scale smuggling of dangerous drugs in duty-free packages into the USA.
The Universal Postal Union in Bern has reported that international mail to the United States has decreased by 81 percent following the introduction of the new US customs regulations. In response, the Union is working on technical solutions to restart postal traffic with the USA, but no further information is provided about these solutions.
The new customs rules have global implications, affecting not just DHL but also other service providers. The suspension of services by DHL is among the 88 postal services worldwide that have reportedly suspended or partially suspended their services to the USA in response to the new customs rules.
The new customs rules are a concern for German companies, as they may face increased costs and complexity in shipping goods to the USA. The decrease in international mail was observed by the Universal Postal Union when comparing data from August 29, when duty-free imports of goods valued under $800 were abolished, with the value from a week earlier.
The Universal Postal Union is yet to provide any further information about the solutions being worked on to address this global issue. The situation underscores the need for effective collaboration between governments and international organisations to ensure smooth international trade and postal services.
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