The US Postal Service (USPS) says it has stopped accepting parcels from mainland China and Hong Kong till additional discover.
Letters won’t be affected by the suspension, based on a statement on the company’s website.
USPS didn’t supply a purpose for the choice but it surely comes after US President Donald Trump imposed an extra 10% tariff on all goods imported to the US from China.
Trump’s government order additionally eradicated an exemption that allowed items value $800 (£641) or much less to enter the US with out having to pay duties or sure taxes.
The so-called de minimis tax loophole confronted elevated scrutiny in recent times as Chinese language e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu used it to achieve tens of millions of US clients.
In response China stated it will implement tariffs on some US imports.
From 10 February coal and liquefied pure gasoline merchandise (LNG) will face a 15% levy. Crude oil, agricultural equipment and large-engine automobiles shall be topic to a ten% tariff.
President Trump is predicted to talk to his Chinese language counterpart Xi Jinping within the coming days.
“Trump’s tariff adjustments are particularly sharp if items have been beforehand shipped through e-commerce instantly from China to the US,” stated commerce professional Deborah Elms.
Near half of all parcels coming into the US underneath de minimis have been despatched from China, based on a 2023 report by the US Congressional committee on China.
US officers have identified that the big circulation of parcels coming into the nation by means of this exemption made it more and more troublesome to display them for potential unlawful items.
The BBC has contacted USPS to request extra particulars in regards to the resolution.
