Customers and businesses who rely on mail and packages from abroad were in a state of panic on Wednesday. But it seems like that issue has already resolved itself.
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The US Postal Service suddenly announced late Tuesday that it was suspending parcels from China and Hong Kong until further notice. Today, the USPS has posted a statement suggesting these restrictions are already lifted:
'Effective February 5, 2025, the Postal Service will continue accepting all international inbound mail and packages from China and Hong Kong Posts. The USPS, Customs, and Border Protection are working closely together to implement an efficient collection mechanism for the new China tariffs to ensure the least disruption to package delivery.'
On Tuesday, the USPS explained that the restriction would not impact the flow of letters or 'flats' from China or Hong Kong. The latter is a blanket term for a large envelope, typically around the size of a magazine.
The US Postal Service Has Provided No Reason For The Suspension Or Reversal
At the time of writing, the USPS has provided no official reasons for the suspension or subsequent U-Turn. However, the New York Post notes that the restriction comes on the heels of Trump's additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. The outlet also explains that the Trump administration ended the 'de minimis' exemption. This exemption means that US shoppers don't have to pay tariffs on shipments worth less than $800.
Online shopping outlets like Temu and Shein have exploded in popularity recently. Both sites provide cheap products, including gadgets and clothing. The only downside is that customers often have to wait an extended period for their products to arrive. The New York Post explains that younger American shoppers frequently use these sites. Prices could be affected by removing the de minimis exemption.
A report by CNN suggests that the suspension had threatened the business models of Shein and Temu specifically, which have built their business models around the exemption. The report also explains that the termination of the exemption will hit Chinese shipments the hardest as they account for almost half of the packages shipped under the de minimis exemption.
