The Association of European Postal Services (PostEurop) said its members would be forced to restrict or suspend goods deliveries through postal networks to the United States after Washington eliminated the duty-free threshold for all countries. Deutsche Post and DHL Parcel Germany confirmed that, with immediate effect, they had suspended the acceptance and transport of parcels from business customers to the US.
The move followed an executive order entitled “Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for all Countries,” due to take effect on 29 August. The order removed the simplified postal customs procedures previously available under the Universal Postal Convention and introduced new requirements for duty collection and data transmission. Deutsche Post stated that key issues remained unresolved, including how duties would be collected, what additional data would be required and how this would be transmitted to US Customs and Border Protection.
Exemptions for gifts and documents
Parcels sent from individuals to individuals with a declared value of up to $100, provided they were categorised as gifts, were excluded from the suspension. PostEurop, however, noted that such shipments would be subject to stricter checks to prevent commercial goods being disguised as private gifts.
Letters and documents were unaffected. Shipments via DHL Express also remained possible, but would now be treated as commercial imports subject to standard US customs rules.
Customs duty overhaul
Until the executive order takes effect, imports from the European Union to the US with a declared value below $800 could enter duty-free. From 29 August, all imports except for private gift shipments worth less than $100 will be subject to customs duties.
Deutsche Post said the applicable duty rate for goods from Germany, and more broadly the EU, would be 15% of the value of the goods, though certain categories would face higher tariffs.
Commercial clearance routes remain
While postal shipments were suspended, commercial customs clearance remained open. Deutsche Post explained that DHL Express could continue handling parcels under commercial rules, which imposed stricter documentation and valuation requirements. These procedures typically involved customs agents or brokers.
Under commercial clearance, DHL acted as customs agent in the US. Payment of duties was determined by international commercial terms, specifying whether the sender or recipient bore responsibility for costs, risks and customs fees.
Global disruption expected
PostEurop concluded that the measures affected all postal operators worldwide, many of which had already announced suspensions of goods shipments to the US. The association said the temporary disruption arose from the divergence between long-established postal clearance procedures and the new US requirements.
Deutsche Post added that it remained in contact with US authorities and European partners with the aim of resuming postal goods traffic as quickly as possible.
Paperjam has contacted Post Luxembourg for its position and is awaiting a response.
