August 27, 2025 | 05:10 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United Nations' Universal Postal Union (UPU) reported that at least 25 countries have suspended postal services to the United States due to the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
Trump's move has prompted a series of announcements from postal services, including in France, the UK, Germany, Italy, India, Australia, and Japan, that most U.S.-bound packages will no longer be accepted.
UPU said in a statement on Tuesday that 25 member countries "have suspended their outbound postal services to the U.S., citing uncertainties specifically related to transit services," as reported by CTV News.
At the end of July, the Trump administration announced the end of tariff exemptions for small packages entering the U.S. starting from August 29.
With the absence of tariff exemptions, postal items entering the U.S. will be subject to a 15 percent import duty, similar to products from the European Union.
According to the UPU, the UPU Director General has sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to convey the complaints of UPU member countries following the disruption of postal operations to the U.S.
"These suspensions will remain in place pending further information on how US authorities will operationalize these measures as well as actual implementation of the required operational changes," the statement wrote.
Significant Changes
The organization, founded in 1874 and comprising 192 countries, warned that the new U.S. measures will "entail considerable operational changes for postal operators around the world."
Starting Friday, the UPU said these measures will require postal operators sending packages to the United States to "collect customs duties from senders in advance," on behalf of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The Indian Ministry of Communications said over the weekend that Trump's executive order issued last month required transportation operators or other "qualified parties" approved by U.S. authorities to collect and forward tariffs.
However, "several critical processes relating to the designation of ‘qualified parties’ and mechanisms for duty collection and remittance remain undefined," as per the UPU statement.
Based on these new U.S. measures, individual customers can still send documents and goods valued up to US$100 as gifts to India without being taxed.
However, any items above this value are expected to be subject to the same tariffs applied to other imports from the sending country.
Meaning, 15 percent for countries in the European Union and 50 percent for India.
And the German postal service, DHL, warned last week that even exempted items will be subject to additional scrutiny to prevent the service from being used for commercial goods.
Sustainable Solutions
The UPU stressed that they are "taking all possible measures to prepare its member countries for the impacts (the new measures) may have on their postal flows."
UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday to convey the concerns of member countries regarding operational disruptions, the statement said.
Referring to the short implementation timeline and voicing specific concerns about its impact on e-commerce shipments, the union stated that they are "working with the relevant U.S. authorities to ensure that information on the operational requirements of the measures is communicated effectively to other member countries."
Simultaneously, the UPU said they are working with "relevant postal stakeholders" to help find sustainable solutions, including an initiative aimed at developing a system to facilitate the collection and forwarding of customs duties across its network.
Editor’s Choice: Trump to Impose Death Penalty for Murderers in the Washington DC
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Trump Wishes Taylor Swift Well on Engagement to Travis Kelce
1 jam lalu
Trump speaks up about the engagement of Taylor Swift and her partner. Trump had a conflict with Swift during the presidential campaign.
10 Most Dangerous Countries to Take Selfies
2 jam lalu
According to the study, the main cause of selfie-related deaths is falling, comprising 46 percent of the total cases.
Donald Trump Says He Wants to Meet with Kim Jong Un, in Front of South Korean President
4 jam lalu
US President Donald Trump admits to having good relations with Kim Jong Un and stated wanting to meet the North Korean leader.
Trump to Impose Death Penalty for Murderers in the Washington DC
6 jam lalu
Donald Trump has promised to impose the death penalty for every murder case in Washington, DC. Joe Biden has long abandoned the death penalty.
U.S.: Trump Says He's Firing Federal Reserve's Lisa Cook over Fraud Allegations
18 jam lalu
U.S. Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook has said that President Donald Trump has no authority to fire her and she will not resign from her position.
Which Country Has the Highest Pickpocket Rate in Europe?
18 jam lalu
Discover the pickpocket rate by country in Europe, revealing hotspots from Italy to Ireland where tourists should stay alert while exploring them.
Trump Says U.S. to Revive Shipbuilding Industry with South Korea's Assistance
19 jam lalu
President Trump announces the revival of the American shipbuilding industry with the assistance of South Korea
Father's Day Australia 2025: Date, Traditions & What Makes It Unique
22 jam lalu
Father's Day Australia falls on September 7, 2025, ready to make every dad in the country feel appreciated. Learn everything about it, here.
Trump Claims Israel-Gaza Conflict Could End Within Three Weeks
23 jam lalu
"I think within the next two to three weeks, you're going to have pretty good, conclusive ending," Trump said, as quoted by Al Jazeera.
UN Chief Condemns Deadly Israeli Airstrike on Gaza's Nasser Hospital, 21 Killed
1 hari lalu
UN Secretary-General Antnio Guterres strongly condemns the Israeli airstrikes that targeted Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 21 people, including medical workers and journalists.
