International postal operators across Europe have begun pausing shipments of low-value packages to the United States following the scheduled expiry of the “de minimis” exemption, which allowed parcels valued at less than $800 to enter duty-free. The exemption, which had long facilitated a smooth flow of low-cost imports, ended over the weekend, and its absence is already causing disruption for cross-border commerce.
In 2024, the provision enabled the import of more than 1.36 billion packages valued collectively at $64.6 billion, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The exemption had applied to goods from China as well as from Europe and other trading partners. By exempting such parcels from duties and customs procedures, the system had been credited with encouraging the growth of global e-commerce platforms that relied on inexpensive goods shipped directly to U.S. consumers. Its removal is now extending to shipments worldwide, creating new trade frictions at a time when global supply chains are already under pressure.
Analysts note that the removal of the de minimis threshold was designed to strengthen domestic manufacturers and close what U.S. policymakers considered a loophole that benefited foreign sellers. But businesses warn that the decision could reduce consumer choice and increase prices, particularly in categories such as clothing, accessories, electronics accessories, and household items that are frequently ordered from overseas online marketplaces.
Broad Suspension by Postal Services Amid Uncertainty
Postal services in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Italy immediately halted most merchandise deliveries to the U.S. in response to the policy change, while France and Austria are set to follow suit starting Monday. The U.K.’s Royal Mail announced a pause beginning Tuesday, stating that its aim is to give time for shipments already in transit to clear before new duties take effect. Under the revised rules, even small items valued at more than $100, including gifts, will incur a 10 percent duty upon entry to the U.S.
The sudden halt has raised concern among exporters, online retailers, and consumers who rely on international shipping. For many small businesses across Europe, sending goods to U.S. buyers through local postal services was a low-cost entry point into the American market. With shipments now suspended, companies face either absorbing higher private courier fees or delaying deliveries indefinitely.
Logistics providers say the problem is not simply higher tariffs but also the absence of clear technical instructions. DHL, Europe’s largest shipping company, said in a statement that there were still no answers to key questions: who will be responsible for collecting customs duties, what data must accompany each shipment, and how that data will be transmitted securely to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Without this clarity, carriers say they risk fines, delays, or seizures at ports of entry if they proceed with normal operations.
Industry groups are urging both Washington and Brussels to accelerate talks on implementation guidelines. Until then, shipments of everyday consumer goods, from clothing to small electronics, are being withheld by many operators.
New Trade Framework and Global Impact
The disruption coincides with the introduction of a newly agreed trade framework between the United States and the European Union. Under this agreement, a 15 percent tariff now applies to most products shipped from the EU to the U.S. This marks a sharp departure from the previous arrangement, where small parcels under the de minimis exemption entered without customs duties. Combined with the suspension of postal shipments, the tariff has added to uncertainty for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.
Observers note that the changes could have significant ripple effects across the global e-commerce industry. Companies that thrived by selling inexpensive goods internationally may see reduced demand from American consumers, who will now face higher final prices. U.S. buyers accustomed to ordering directly from European marketplaces could find fewer options, slower deliveries, and added charges upon arrival.
Consumer advocates have warned that the end of the exemption will also affect individuals sending personal items or gifts abroad, which will no longer enjoy simplified entry. Even relatively modest parcels may now face customs declarations, additional paperwork, and new fees. Some shippers anticipate delivery delays of several weeks as customs offices manage increased workloads.
In the longer term, economists suggest that U.S. retailers could benefit from reduced competition from foreign sellers, potentially strengthening domestic supply chains. However, critics argue that higher tariffs and shipping complications could feed into broader inflationary pressures, particularly for lower-cost goods that form part of many households’ everyday spending.
International logistics experts point out that similar measures are being studied in other markets, raising the possibility of a broader shift toward protectionist trade practices. If replicated globally, the trend could reshape the future of digital commerce, moving away from the model of cheap, direct-to-consumer shipments that characterized the past decade.