Retailers and individuals who ship packages to the US are going to be inconvenienced until bpost – along with many other postal services around the globe – can implement changes needed to adhere to Trump’s new import tariffs
Belgian postal service bpost has halted delivery of parcels worth less than $800 to the US. As of today, letters can still be sent to the US but not packages.
The temporary measure – which affects retail businesses as well as individuals – is being taken in order to give Belgium time to implement the administration around the now-required tariffs on lower-cost goods entering the US.
In his ongoing tariff war, US president Donald Trump has suspended de minimus, the customs regulation that allowed low-value packages to be shipped to the country free of duty. While de minimus ends today, the US administration only instructed countries how to deal with this change less than two weeks ago.
The change in regulation considerably impacts international postal services and e-retailers using those services
bpost
“All goods must have tariffs paid prior to arrival in the US, while the carrier will be responsible for ensuring compliance,” said Bpost in a statement. “The change in regulation considerably impacts international postal services and e-retailers using those services.”
Belgium is one of many countries to temporarily halt the export of parcels to the US. Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Poland, Korea and Australia are included in the substantial list of countries taking the step.
“On 15 August 15, US authorities shared the detailed requirements necessary for implementation,” said bpost. “Due to the short timeframe to adapt to the new specific requirements, bpost will temporarily halt shipments to the United States until a compliant solution has been developed and implemented.”
Bpost says it is not sure when shipment of packages to the US will resume.